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Advehnt Guard
ehn-pc
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9: Anthropic Guilt
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Advehnt Guard
Avengard / unknown
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??? is laying on an operating table, strapped to it and unable to escape. On their head is a strange device, plugged into a larger machine. However, that's not what ??? sees. They're standing on the side, spectating this event.
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"...Unhh..."
2:31 PM
I stare forward at the body. "...Who are you?" (edited)
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"Where am I!?" ??? screamed. "Ah, are we back?" FB spoke from behind a one-way mirror. "Good morning, test subject. Though to me... It's quite early in the afternoon. Our previous experiment was an absolute success. Truly, you deserve a round of applause. As your hands are rather occupied right now, allow me to do it for you." FB clapped. "Let me out...! Let me out!" ???.
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"That voice..."
2:38 PM
I glare at FB. "Hello...? Who are you!? Where are we?" (edited)
2:38 PM
"Let me out!" (edited)
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"Please... No need to worry. You shall endure no permanent harm. Are you familiar with the story of the tree in the woods... With no one around to hear it. Do you truly experience temporary pain if you cannot remember it? Is all the suffering in the world worth anything once you forget it? No. Of course not. Scars are only as present as they are visible. The human being is nothing but a composite of these many insignificant scars. I have freed you from that. In some senses, you should find yourself grateful. You are free from the life you once led. You have become what you were meant to be." FB. "Shut up! Let me out!" ???. "Please do not make me shock you again. I do not find this stretch of all our conversations particularly worthwhile. I'm attempting to converse with you rationally." FB.
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I look for a way out of the room I'm in.
2:53 PM
"Is that... me?"
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There's a door. "I'm rationally telling you to leave!" ???. "Very well, then... We'll proceed to the EHN pc test." FB. The machine around ???'s head lights up. (edited)
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ehn-pc
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AAAAAAAAAAGHH!!
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Advehnt Guard
Avengard / unknown
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I take the door out.
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???'s hand just goes through the handle. Ehn walks out from the other side. "Excellent... So it's completely functional. Thank you for the experiment. I'll allow you to rest for now, and move on." FB left. ??? breathes heavily without saying anything. "Morning, Jay!" Ehn hops up on the operating table.
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"What's happening to me?" (edited)
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"Who... Are you?" ???. "No dog questions this time, huh? They really did a number on you this time. To cut to the chase, I'm your best friend! You might even say I'm your only friend." Ehn. "...I have human friends." ???. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. I ask you to name one, you can't do it, so on and so forth. Routine's a little tired at this point. Today though... You get to escape from hell!" Ehn smiled overconfidently. "Stretch and check your pocket. You're welcome! I did aaaall of that. Somehow." ??? did so, and pulled out a powerful knife.
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"No, what? You're... Ehn, aren't you?"
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"What do I do with this?" ???. "You... Cut yourself free? That felt kind of obvious." Ehn. ??? starts doing this.
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"..." I stare at ??? hopelessly.
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??? breaks free and runs out the door. "No thanks? Sheesh…" Ehn follows.
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I follow them.
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They’re standing in a plain hallway. The building seems like a hospital, but without any pretence of comfort. It’s a disturbingly sterilized white, like a human has never lived here. ??? runs off down the corridor.
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I continue following ???. Talking seems pointless, so I just follow, blankly failing to make sense of the situation.
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??? turns the corner, and comes face to face with several men in white suits. They all point their guns at him. "Why are you outside!? Get back in your cell!" ??? tries to stab them. "I’m innocent!" "Jay, what are you doing are you stupid!?" Ehn.
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"How would they be stupid? That's smart!" I yell at the dog.
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The men in white suits immediately get out of the way and avoid ???. ??? keeps running. "Oh right. Thank goodness for plot armour." Ehn follows.
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I follow.
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The white suits chase after them. An alarm starts to ring. "It’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?" Ehn.
5:04 PM
I'm not sure what that means.
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??? is suddenly caught from behind, and strangled by Marco Gould himself. "Slow down there."
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"Who the hell is that?"
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Marco brings a gun to ???'s head. "Stop it! Are you insane? We don’t just kill people for no reason, especially not people they’re supposed to study." Gordon approached them.
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I glare at Gordon. "You..."
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"He’s not listening." Marco. "I assume that’s because you put a gun to his head. Marco… You want to live the high life, right? You’re never going to accomplish anything if you try to kill everyone. The subtler responses mean a lot in this business." Gordon.
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"No! Don't listen to Gordon! Kill them! Or, uh... ugh!" (edited)
5:40 PM
"It doesn't work. I'm not... here."
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Marco loosens his grip on ???, disappointed. ??? responds by trying to stab him, which causes Marco to shove them away. ??? easily runs past Gordon, who doesn’t even try to do anything.
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I just stare at Gordon, wanting to hear what comes out of the coward's mouth next.
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??? never experienced that memory. They simply kept running, until they arrived at the indoor parking lot.
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"..." I grasp my head.
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In the parking lot are several trucks, like the one ??? was imprisoned in during chapter 2. ??? gets in one and tries to drive it, but does not have the key. "The garage door's locked anyway, you've gotta go a different way." Ehn explains. "I'll lead you!"
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"I don't even... know how to use that thing..."
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??? doesn't stop trying to use the truck despite both of these facts. "What are you doing!?" Ehn. "What are you doing?" ???. "I just... I just explained that." Ehn. "I didn't agree to it." ???.
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"What am I doing?"
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"What are you doing?" Ehn. "This car would be faster." ???. "But it... But it doesn't work." Ehn. "You don't know that." ???. "Yes I do!" Ehn.
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I stare confused and nonplussed.
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Marco and Gordon run into the parking lot, causing ??? to finally get out of the truck. Ehn starts running to a door on the other side, and ??? follows. "Alright, let's see your genius plan, Gordon." Marco. Gordon sighs and grabs onto ??? as they run. "Stop running. You're only making things worse for yourself! You may not see it now, but we're the good guys. We're trying to help you." ??? responds by stabbing him with the knife.
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"Hah! Hahaha! You get that liar, Alexi!"
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"What the-" Gordon grabs the knife and stumbles back. "How did you... Get this?" ??? tries to grab the knife again, but gets tackled by Marco. "Alright you piece of shit! Enough!" Marco.
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"Shut up and die!"
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??? pushes him off, but Marco grabs onto the side of the hospital gown ??? is wearing and pulls it off as he falls. Marco covers his eyes instinctively despite the lack of anything there, and ??? escapes through the door. "Wow... I did not think you could fight at all. Well, almost there!" Ehn runs through the next room, and arrives at a brick wall. "Just press this brick right here." She points to one.
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I follow ??? eagerly. "Go! Gogogogogo!"
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They press the brick, causing a secret passage to open into what look like normal sewers. …The sewers ??? saw in chapter 1. They keep running.
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"What? Wait! No...! What if... White people appear?" I keep running. (edited)
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Naturally, sewers are full of water. Even the parts where water isn't moving across are incredibly wet. It would be incredibly stupid to run barefoot without thinking, but that is exactly what ??? is doing. And so naturally, as he entered the same area he woke up in on day 1, he slipped.... and hit the ground with enough force to hurt damage his brain even more than it already was. The world goes black.
6:51 PM
That was the end of his days there, but those days are significant as well. You have to understand them, Jay. I rewind the clock back to your previous iteration, the brief time where you lived as the fictional character Chiaki Nanami from Danganronpa 2.
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...That's absurd.
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((End session))
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??? wakes up on a bed, in a real bedroom. She currently believes herself to be Chiaki Nanami from Danganronpa 2. There are no windows, but there is a door. The room has been customized to look like hers.
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I attempt to recall the location of the bedroom I'm in.
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She doesn’t remember.
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"Huh. Where am I? This is weird. It's sorta like a video game."
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EL walks into the room, drunk as always. "Chiaaaaki, there you are."
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"...Hey."
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"How are you, buddy?" EL wraps her arm around ???'s shoulders.
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"Sleepy."
5:03 PM
I yawn.
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"Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever… Come with me." She drags them out of the room, into the facility’s corridors.
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"Where are we going?"
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"Around. To talk to people."
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"Greeeat. You’re the best!" She keeps dragging ???.
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"Um... thanks."
5:32 PM
I let myself be dragged.
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They run into Gordon. "…Hi, EL." "Hiiiii." EL.
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"…What’s up?" Gordon says uncomfortably. "This evil mastermind is just hanging out with her minion!" EL.
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"Evil mastermind?" I sound surprised.
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"Of course! What do you get if you take the vi out of evil? That’s right! Me, EL!" EL.
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"Yeeeeeees?" EL.
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"Nothing."
6:15 PM
"I was just saying hi."
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"Great! You're the best, Chiaki!" EL. "Is this not... Creepy to you?" Gordon.
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"Is what not creepy?"
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"Nothing! It's completely normal for you to be my minion, right?" EL.
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"Yeah." I smile.
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"Yaaaaaaay!" EL. "EL... Do you not have any compassion for him?" Gordon. "Compassion? Of course not! I am evil, after all!" EL.
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"Who's 'him'?"
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"He's misgendering you." EL. "That's... A disingenuous way to put it." Gordon.
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"Apologize to her, right Chiaki?" EL.
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"It's okay." I rub my eyes.
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"Come on, don't you want to fuck with Gordon?" EL.
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"Fuck with. Obviously you're so gay for me." EL. "Can you please stop saying the first thing that pops into your head without any thought." Gordon facepalmed.
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"No." I smile. (edited)
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"She's saying that to you. Anyway, come ooooon Chiaki, follow me! We've gotta explore around." EL drags her off again. "Do you just like torturing people?" Gordon calls this out after them.
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I continue to go along.
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This girl is the next person they run into. "Oh, hi EL. Chiaki."
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"Sup, Eryn! Me and my minion were just hanging around." EL. "You're not usually this... Excitable. I thought violent depression was more your style." Eryn. "I change it up, you know how it is!" EL. "Not really." Eryn.
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"I know how it is."
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EL highfives Chiaki. "Yeah!"
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I take EL's hand and hold it.
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"Ah-" EL is caught off-guard by this. "Uh... Huh?"
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"Ahahahahaha... Don't do that." EL pulls her hand away roughly. "No time for love with villains, huh?" Eryn. "I'm the type of girl you admire from a distance while I kill your family, y'know? Because I'm so violently evil." EL.
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"Say you know, Chiaki." EL.
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"I... know?"
7:27 PM
I'm confused.
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"There you go!" EL. "You're having way too much fun with this, aren't you?" Eryn. "Oh, like you wouldn't do the same if she thought she was Carolyn." EL. "That's- A false equivalence." Eryn.
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"Don’t worry about it." EL.
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"Alright."
8:09 PM
"I'm sure it'll just work out."
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EL bursts out laughing. "Chiaki, can I just run a test on you quickly?" Eryn.
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"Can you name at least 10 of your classmates?" Eryn. (edited)
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I try to think of the names of 10 of my classmates.
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She can remember the names of the cast of danganronpa 2.
8:38 PM
"Hajime, Nagito, Kazuichi, Fuyuhiko, Peko, Mahiru, Hiyoko, Mikan, Nekomaru, and Gundham..."
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"Can you name me their talents?" Eryn.
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"Of course."
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She waits.
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"Are you… Going to say it?" Eryn. (edited)
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"Why not?" Eryn.
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"That would take too long."
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"Just name some." Eryn.
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"The Ultimate Gamer. The Ultimate Nurse. The Ultimate Lucky Student. The Ultimate Chef."
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"Okay, good. Seems like he- she’s remembering properly." Eryn. "How could she forget?" EL says sarcastically.
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"Anyway, come on. Let’s get some breakfast now." EL heads to the dining room.
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I follow her.
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There’s a large quantity of food of various types. EL pours herself some cereal. "The most evil food."
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I look for a less evil food.
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There’s a lot of other foods.
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I eat some fruit.
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"Fruit?”
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"Yeah. It's fruit." (edited)
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"…Why?"
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"It's the most good food."
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"According to who?"
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"Is that something you remember?"
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"It's my intuition."
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"Huh?" EL.
10:41 PM
I drink some milk.
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"Sheesh, like a wild animal." EL.
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I put the carton down and finally take a seat.
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She eats cereal.
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"If I say the name FB, does that ring any bells?" EL.
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I sorta try to recall anything or anyone by that name.
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It terrifies ??? for some reason.
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"...Let's talk about something else." (edited)
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"Huh? Don’t order me around, minion." EL.
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"I wasn't."
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"You were!" EL.
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"Don’t question me!" EL.
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"Hm… What was I supposed to run you through, again…" EL.
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((Saturday))
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"Hm… What was I supposed to run you through, again…" EL.
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((Saturday))
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"Hm… What was I supposed to run you through, again…" EL.
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"Oh well. We’ll figure it out." She shrugs.
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"I'm sure if you just do it, it'll all work out!"
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"That’s the spirit!"
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She stares at ??? for a moment, looking uncomfortable. "What would… Sorry, it’s a weird question."
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"What would what?"
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"What would you think if you weren’t real?"
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"...I wouldn't think?"
3:06 PM
"Things must be real to think." (edited)
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"Well like… Metaphorically, you know?"
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"Not really."
3:09 PM
I obviously know I'm not real, but I can't admit that. (edited)
3:10 PM
I smile. "I'd think... That it doesn't matter, if I can still impact other people." (edited)
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She bites her lip. "What if you could only hurt them?"
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"Then..."
3:17 PM
"How could that happen?"
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"Details, details. Whatever."
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"I would..."
3:26 PM
I stare at EL blankly. "I don't know."
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"Well, thanks for trying I guess."
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"...No problem."
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She holds out a foldable knife. "Hold this. But keep it hidden, okay?"
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"Okay." I feel a little nervous, but it's not like it'll matter. I take the knife and hold it behind me.
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"Alright, let’s go!" EL leaves the room.
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I follow closely behind her.
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They arrive in front of 3 doors. The rightmost one reads Nathan Smith, but as soon as EL notices this she covers ???'s eyes. "No peeking, sorry."
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"Huh? Okay."
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She leads ??? through the middle door. Inside is the room ??? usually lives in, in a sense. "Sit down on the surgery bed."
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I sit down on what I think is the surgery bed.
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"Ah, thank you EL." FB’s voice speaks. EL jumps in shock. "Jesus Christ, why do you have to do the speaker thing? Can’t you walk here yourself?" "I find the distance between myself and the subjects comforting, though we may be equals. Such is how the mind works." FB.
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"Subjects...?"
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"Don’t worry about it, just lay down." EL. "Yes, so as she says." FB.
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"Are you sure...?" I look at EL, seeming a little scared.
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"Yeah, yeah, just do it." EL.
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"..." I lay down.
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EL straps ??? in so they can’t escape.
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I close my eyes.
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"Goodbye, Chiaki." EL. "Does it matter? She will be reformed into a better self." FB. And then the world goes black.
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??? is standing next to themselves again. EL is not in the room, but FB is talking. "Good morning." "Where am I!?" ??? screamed. "Must we do this every single time? It’s quite tiring." FB. "Let me out...! Let me out!" ???.
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"What? No!"
4:34 PM
I yell at FB. "Stop it! STOP!"
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"Allow me to explain the purposes of what we are going to do today. This will require no pain or harm on your end for once. I am simply going to read a story to you, as I often do. Do you somehow recall the concept of danganronpa? It’s rather niche." FB. "What? What does that mean?" ???. "I will assume not." FB.
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"Dan... gan... what?"
4:38 PM
I stare at ???. "What?"
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"Danganronpa is a video game series. For the purposes of this test, you will become one of its characters. Chiaki Nanami." FB. "I can’t become a fictional character. That doesn’t make any sense." ???. (edited)
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"Agh! Chiaki... that was my name! Chiaki Nanami!" (edited)
4:42 PM
I clutch my head. "Aghhhh!"
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"I will read to you the story." And so he did. The scene flashes back to before. It’s a similar scene, but this time ??? is shocked. Similar painful experiments also follow throughout the next few experiments. Eventually, ??? passes through enough flashbacks to reach the times before the one way mirror. When FB himself stood in the room with them.
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"Who… are you?" ???. "My name is FB. I am a humble man, who lives a life like any other. It’s not my formal occupation, but for your purposes you may consider me somewhat of a surgeon or a scientist."
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"FB is a stupid name!!"
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"That’s a stupid name." ???. "Yes, but all names are meaningless don’t you think?" FB.
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"I don't care!"
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"No they aren’t." ???. "But you don’t even have a name, do you? It’s been taken from you. Ripped away like everything you have. Your very existence is meaningless. It is not true life. You are… But a mere infant." FB.
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I cover my ears.
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Sound still comes through. It’s a memory, after all. "Infants can’t speak!" ???. FB takes a moment to consider its "Hm… True enough. But I was merely being metaphorical. What do you believe is the essence of human life? What… Makes us who we are?"
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"Breathing! Breathingbreathingbreathingbreathing!" I yell.
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"Breathing." ???. "What? No… What? Breathing allows us to live, but it defines nothing about us." FB.
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"You're wrong! It defines what we do every moment!"
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"What defines it then?" ???. "There are 2 beliefs. The first school of thought is a more faith based approach. It places inherent value in human life. In the belief that we possess souls. We are thus inherently defined by our mere birth. This interpretation is incorrect. The truth is… People are merely machines. Our lives have no value whatsoever." FB.
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"'Value'???"
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"Do you know how an artificial intelligence works? Not something out of fantasy, but out of reality." FB. "Those aren’t real." ???. "Yes, they are. They are algorithms. They simply absorb information and process it in the ways they have been programmed to. Merely slaves to experience." FB. (edited)
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"You are entirely shaped by memories. And through you and the others… I have proven it. I have taken away everything that makes you you. And I shall create an entirely new person in your place." FB. (edited)
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"......"
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"In some senses, this may be considered like murder. I have erased all traces of you… I have killed you every single day of your life for the past few years. But… Like you, I am also simply a machine. The actions I take are not good or evil… I simply follow what I am made to do. I have no real personal beliefs. I simply adapt to what my own memories have built towards. I find that to be a much more ideal way to live." FB.
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"...I don't believe you."
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"That doesn’t make any sense." ???. "Perhaps to you. But when I have fully uncovered the intricacies of your mind, you will understand the same. I will create the perfect person. Someone who remembers how to do everything… And simultaneously… One who understands their purpose as a mere cog. Such is the power of memory manipulation. I can rewrite existence itself." FB.
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"I don't believe you."
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"I don’t believe you." ???. "Think about it for a moment. How do you know what occurred a few second ago? You simply remember it. If memory is changed… Erased… Outright replaced… Then history can be rewritten entirely. A man can be created or erased entirely all at the manipulation of memory. If I enacted this on a greater scale, the flow of life itself would be in the palm of my hand. Of course, this would simply be the product of my role as a cog. I am no god… I’m simply another man with this power." FB.
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"I don't believe you."
6:16 PM
I barely understand what those words mean.
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"I don’t understand what those words mean." ???. "A shame. But how about a demonstration? Simply watch as I erase this conversation from existence." FB walks over to a machine, and presses a button.
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"Nothing happened."
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The world goes black, and the scene seems to restart. FB's actions do not repeat however. He just sits down next to ??? and begins reading from a book.
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I sit on the floor.
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"What are you doing?" ???. "Reading you a story." FB. "…Why?" ???. "I never used to enjoy fiction. Life is best when it’s simple. But an old friend taught me that fiction just as simple. People live to their roles just the same. It’s comforting now." FB.
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"I just want FB to die."
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FB keeps reading the story.
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I push the words out of my mind.
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When he finishes the story, the scene changes. It goes through a few other stories and instances where ??? is just left alone for hours. Sprinkled in between are some of the experiments. It eventually stops feeling terrifying and just sort of gets boring and numb.
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Eventually, ??? seems to break the cycle. Or rather, not enter into it yet. During one of FB's stories, they finally ask the question. "Who… Am I?"
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"No one, really. You are you and you are nothing. Because you have no self." FB. "What if I went outside?" ???. "You would become a new person, I assume. Not one I would allow to exist, however. You’re needed here." FB.
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It makes sense.
8:04 PM
...
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"Well, who was I before?" ???. "I fail to see the relevance. That self is no longer yours." FB. "No longer 'mine'? So is it someone else’s?" ???.
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"Oh my. It seems you turned that around on me, unexpectedly." FB pauses. "You’re correct, I suppose there’s no use hiding it. The person your body once housed still exists. They live a simple life on the outside. They stole your body and name, and thus you have nothing to go back to. Does this make things simple?" FB. "…" ???.
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"Good. I’m glad that’s shut you down. Shall we continue the story?" FB.
8:35 PM
Uuuuugh...
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He continues without an answer. The scene changes, but this time Harriet is also standing next to you outside of the scene.. ((End session.))
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Advehnt Guard
Avengard / harriet-kadin
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Harriet is standing in the middle of a vast wasteland. She doesn’t recognize the area, but it’s certainly not anywhere near Avengard. Despite the fact she’s never experienced the feeling of the ground on her feet, or her feet at all for that matter, it feels like a natural sensation.
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 2:18 PM
Harriet looks down at her legs in awe.
2:23 PM
She checks her body for any signs of oddness.
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It’s just her, standing. 2 small children walk into view as Harriet examines herself. Their faces are visible, but Harriet can’t seem to process them as if she were suffering from prosopagnosia. Despite this, Harriet can intuitively determine that one of the children is ???.
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 2:31 PM
"Hello?" Harriet says tentatively.
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The 2 ignore her, and keep walking in her direction.
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 2:37 PM
Harriet follows them, marveling at the sensation in her legs - so new, yet so familiar.
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They walk directly through Harriet, like she doesn’t exist. "Are we… There yet?" ???. "S-Sure… Just hold on, okay? Just a little more. You can’t give up." The other boy.
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 2:39 PM
Harriet continues to follow.
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In between blinks, a small town seems to spring into existence in front of them. "…I can’t." ??? "What?" Boy. "I can’t feel… My body…" ???. "We’re almost there! Just hang on!" Boy. ??? falls over.
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 2:48 PM
"...What?" Says Harriet, and continues to listen.
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"Come on! …Come on!" Boy. "…" ???. "Help! Someone help! Can anyone hear us!?" The boy screams.
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 2:54 PM
Harriet tries to run to his side. "I'm here..! I'm here..."
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The boy turns and looks in Harriet’s direction. "Who… Are you?"
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 3:02 PM
"You can see me?" Harriet says. (edited)
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A teenage boy walks directly through Harriet and kneels down next to the 2. He lifts up ??? over his shoulder, and turns around towards Harriet. It’s somewhat hard to tell because of the age difference, but this man is undeniably Jeff Johnner. "Follow me."
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 3:16 PM
Harriet follows.
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The world goes dark for a moment. When it returns, Harriet is standing in a small bedroom. The young ??? is laying in the bed. "Hm…?"
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 3:26 PM
Harriet walks to his side.
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"Do you wish to tell him something?" I speak in a way even Harriet can perceive, but the voice does not come from anywhere tangible in this memory.
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 3:32 PM
Harriet groans and places a hand to her head. She feels... strange, all of a sudden. Her body seizes again.
3:32 PM
"I don't know," she groans. "What's going on?"
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"You are witnessing what that person forgot. This was a slightly intended side-effect of your abilities.” Me.
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 3:36 PM
"My abilities?" (edited)
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"Ah, of course… Ehn has avoided you, hasn’t she? She distributed abilities to people in Avengard. These abilities are stored in a physical object people wield. You and that person are exceptions to this, because your ability is stored in your own eyes." Me.
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 3:41 PM
"I don't understand..." Harriet says. Then thinks, for a minute. "Are you the reason I keep beating the shit out of myself?"
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I don’t reward that with an answer.
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 3:44 PM
Harriet bites down on her own hand, retching. The pain is increasing, in leaps and bounds, the wet sludge of her body misting over. Fuck. Fuck. There's nothing wrong with her that's divined by a greater power, is there? It's just her. She's just.. fundamentally broken, somehow.
3:45 PM
As soon as she thinks that, the thought melts. Perfect clarity replaces it - no. No. There is some God out there. Listening. Watching. Waiting for her to step out of line and beat her into submission, the sharp crack of leather, the workhorse, the eye, the line, the target. The whipping girl bends like a felled tree.
3:46 PM
Nothing is my fault, she thinks savagely. Nothing is my fault. The brokenness is my fault - the tenderness is my fault - but the cruelty is everyone else's fault. Her fault, that God up there, watching.
3:47 PM
"What am I supposed to do." Harriet says.
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"…Why do you think I’m god?" Me. ??? gets out of bed, and stumbles out of the room.
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 3:49 PM
"I think someone is God," Harriet says, choosing her words carefully. "I think there was an old God, and a new God came from the old god, in a white room, a long time ago. And you might be the new God. Or it might be someone else. But there is a God, because the alternative is..."
3:49 PM
Harriet trails off. She does not say - because the alternative is that I chose this. The alternative is that the only reason why I am here right now and dying and the only reason why I was almost -
3:49 PM
The only reason why I was almost.
3:50 PM
The only reason why I was almost - - - - - is because I walked myself here on my own two broken legs.
3:50 PM
"Because." She finishes.
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You can't hide reality from me. But I spare Harriet from hearing that thought, and allow the memory to continue as ??? walks out onto the street. A full busy town is hard at work like any other day. ??? internally wishes they'd stop and pretend to care about him, but he's never seen any of these people in his life. Their words would be meaningless to him. Instead, the next words he speaks are "Am I alive?"
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 4:01 PM
Harriet watches, her throat dry.
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No one stops to pay attention to the child. ??? thus runs directly into someone, causing them both to fall over. He stares at his hands and at the fallen person for a moment, before speaking again. "I'm real. ...I'm real." He stumbles back to his feet and runs directly into the crowd, pushing people out of the way.
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 4:09 PM
"Me too," Harriet says quietly, and follows.
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??? gets on a higher platform and shouts. "Where am I!? Where is my brother!? What happened to me!?" "Shut up!" The locals groan at this display, but don't interfere beyond this.
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 4:12 PM
Harriet watches.
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??? starts picking up small objects and throwing them at people. "Enough! What the hell is your problem?" Johnner approached him. ??? throws something at him. "Are you braindead or something? You finally wake up and you pull this?" Johnner.
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 4:19 PM
Watches.
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"Where am I!?" ???. "You're in Fleshak. Your brother is out playing with friends. You've been sleeping for a few months. Are you satisfied?" Johnner. "Liar!" ??? poses confidently. "You can't sleep that long. A healthy amount of sleep is only 10 hours." "I hate kids." Johnner sighs.
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 4:27 PM
Watches.
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"I am not a kid!" ???. "You want to find your brother, right? Come on." Johnner grabbed ??? by the arm and forcefully dragged him. "Let me go! Let me go! I'm gonna have you arrested!" ??? Johnner internally suppresses the desire to tell the young child to kill himself. (edited)
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 4:41 PM
Harriet watches.
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Johnner drags him to a small public park where several children are playing. ???'s brother notices him and stares in awe. "You're... Awake?" "(censored)!" ??? calls out his brother's name, but this name has been suppressed. Johnner lets him go, so ??? runs to his brother and hugs him.
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Harriet Kadin 7/3/2023 4:50 PM
((sorry to cut it short a little early but i need to go))
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((That's fine see ya))
4:54 PM
((Saturday))
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Harriet Kadin 7/8/2023 2:02 PM
((gonna have to be a short session today))
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((Alright))
2:09 PM
The scene changes. Johnner and the 2 children are eating some kind of meal at a table. There’s also an older woman, presumably Johnner’s mother. No one’s saying anything yet.
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Harriet Kadin 7/8/2023 2:09 PM
Harriet continues to watch.
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"Where are… Mom and dad?" ???. No one answers. "Where are they?" ??? says again, more forcefully. "…They’re gone." His brother answers. Silence. "They… They couldn’t make it out. It’s just us. They’re dead." The brother laughs miserably for a moment. "…They’re just gone." Silence.
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Harriet Kadin 7/8/2023 2:15 PM
Harriet's beginning to get the feeling that this might be important.
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"Haha, that’s… Good joke. Seriously, where are they?" ??? laughs it off too hard. Silence. "They’re dead, (censored). I’m not much of a comedian." The brother. ??? stares at him in shock. "Uh… Change of subject. You’re here now, right? This town is safe. Everyone here’s gonna live long and prosper, y’know? No need to uh… To be so grim." Johnner couldn’t hide the discomfort on his face.
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Harriet Kadin 7/8/2023 2:24 PM
"..Hello?" Harriet says helplessly, in spite of herself.
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"They won't hear you. You're simply a spectator." I explain. "I don't even know who the hell you are! Stop lying to me! Where are they!?" ???. "Don't be stubborn here..." Johnner sighs. "Crying can't do a single thing. Beg to any god you want, nothing's ever gonna change. You just gotta live and move on. Like your brother did. It doesn't bother him anymore." The brother gives the floor a hollow stare. "...He's right. I've moved past it."
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Harriet Kadin 7/8/2023 2:37 PM
"I really can't do anything?" Harriet says helplessly. "Then what's - what's the point?"
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"Watching." I say this. ??? grabs his brother by the shoulders forcefully. "You... You asshole! Don't their lives mean anything to you?" His brother stares at him back with the same hollow gaze. "Aren't you gonna cry about it at least? Come on... They raised us! You owe them for that!" ???. "I don't think... I can." Brother. "Huh?" ???. "I can't... Cry anymore." His brother isn't even staring at him, just thin air. "Mikhail is right... Nothing can save them. We just have to move on." "But we need them!" ???. "I just... Need you." Brother. ??? lets his brother go and sinks down to his knees crying.
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Harriet Kadin 7/8/2023 2:49 PM
"I don't understand..." Harriet says. "I want to help." (edited)
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"Why?" I ask.
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Harriet Kadin 7/8/2023 2:54 PM
"Because... Isn't that what I'm supposed to do?" Harriet says, eyebrows pulled taut. "Someone's in pain. I fix it.” (edited)
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"You can't fix pain. No matter how hard you try, people will always suffer." I continue.
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Harriet Kadin 7/8/2023 2:58 PM
"That's such bullshit," Harriet scoffs. "If you - if you can give me these powers in the first place, this voyeurism, why can't you give me more? I'd take anything out of me, I'd rob myself blind, just for a chance to fix the problem. I feel - I have to fix the problem. And this is... and this is so much. Suffering like this isn't normal, not - for them."
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"Just a few days ago, he used you like a toy. One to hurt for his own amusement. And you'd still want to save him?" Me.
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Harriet Kadin 7/8/2023 3:07 PM
Harriet stares, distraught. "He's weak. He needs me. He doesn't have anyone else."
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"Regardless, this is the past. It has already happened. You can’t change it." Me.
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Harriet Kadin 7/8/2023 3:14 PM
"..Alright," Harriet says quietly. "Just show me, then."
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The scene changes again. His brother and a few friends are playing in a park again. ??? is sitting on the sidelines, watching. His brother approaches him. "(censored)? What's wrong?" "..." ???. "(censored)?" Brother. "...I can't stop thinking about them. I'm not... Ready to live without them." ???. "...Oh." Brother. "I wish I could... Forget them. Like you did." ???. "No. I didn't... I didn't forget them. No matter what, we can't forget them... Or it'll be like they never existed. No matter what... We can't ever move past them." Brother. "Do you know where this takes place?" Me.
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Harriet Kadin 7/8/2023 3:24 PM
"I'm.. not sure." Harriet says.
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"Europe. Or some part of it, at least. An entirely different continent from Avengard. How do you think they reached you?" Me. (edited)
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Harriet Kadin 7/8/2023 3:36 PM
Harriet frowns. "I don't know. Is this a trick question or something?"
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"I just enjoy predictions. My usual audience is kind of toxic." Me.
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Harriet Kadin 7/8/2023 3:40 PM
"What a weird thing to say."
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"...Sorry." Me. The scene changes. Johnner and ??? are alone, in a dark alleyway. "Grow up, kid! People die, you move on. You're never gonna live again if you just keep thinking about what you've lost. When you lose something, you've just gotta do everything you can to replace it." Johnner. "Leave me alone..." ???. "I'm trying to help you! You're just hurting yourself!" Johnner. "You don't know what it's like to lose someone! I can't just... I can't just forget..." ???. "What? Do you want me to like... Hit you so hard you forget? I think that's just a fictional idea." Johnner. "Why would you assume that's what I mean!?" ???.
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Harriet Kadin 7/8/2023 3:49 PM
Harriet watches.
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"I'm trying to help you, kid... You're the only one here who's suffering." Johnner. "That seems rather unlikely." Shuichi Maoziwam himself, still a young adult, walked into the alleyway. "Suffering seems to be a rather default state of the human condition." "Who... Are you?" ???. "My name is Shuichi Maoziwam. Naturally, I don't expect you to have heard of me, but I'm an American citizen on a trip to see the world. You must be thinking to yourself... 'Ah, a tourist?'. But no, I am not so simple a man as to simply take a tour of your nation. I'm not rich enough to do that either. What I seek lies beyond a mere tourist destination, but with it's humble people. I shall be staying in the area for a while." Shuichi gave a condescending smirk. Everything about the way he presented himself made him seem powerful and impressive. "You 2 young men seem to be having some sort of disagreement? What exactly might the issue be? I've been considered to be quite the problem solver in my life."
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Harriet Kadin 7/8/2023 4:09 PM
((have to go now, sorry abt the short session))
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((It's alright. You don't exactly me much when I'm just rambling a backstory at you))
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((Saturday))
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((Hi))
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Harriet Kadin 7/15/2023 2:54 PM
((SORRY I FELL ASLEEP))
2:54 PM
((might be a short session today + might have to break in the middle of it whoops))
2:54 PM
Harriet waits and listens.
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Johnner looks at Shuichi, baffled. "He lost his family recently. I’m trying to help him move on." ??? looks away. "And that required a violent treatment? Are you some kind of animal. Well… Fear not. For I am like a god of compassion." Shuichi gave an arrogant smirk. "I shall care for this child in your stead." "You… Will?" Johnner. "Do you doubt me?" Shuichi.
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Harriet Kadin 7/15/2023 3:06 PM
Watches.
3:09 PM
((hey REALLY sorry i completely forgot abt dnd today and i have a ton of shit i need to do all day that i put off bc i was working 😭 can we reschedule))
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((Sure))
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((Saturday))
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"…Yes? How would I not?" Johnner. Shuichi approached ??? and kneeled down next to him. "Young man, take all the time you need to recuperate. You shall rise to your feet on your own once more, unrestricted by the misery of loss. You shall see the beauty of life once more." ??? very visibly does not understand what that means. "…Okay." "Wow… You did it." Johnner is impressed. "Naturally." Shuichi.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 2:11 PM
Harriet watches.
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The scene changes to the 2 brothers, Johnner, and Shuichi all having dinner together as Shuichi boastfully talks. Similar scenes flash by one after another, not producing anything particularly eventful. The simple premise is simply that ??? recovers and the 4 grow closer, a fairly dull development. "Shall I skip ahead to the next point of interest?" I ask.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 2:20 PM
Harriet pauses and thinks for a minute. “Alright.”
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The village is now on fire, and people are screaming out in pain.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 2:27 PM
“Oh, wow.” Harriet says, taken aback.
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??? runs frantically, without clear direction or purpose. He passes by Johnner, who’s crying on his knees. Instead of stopping, he just keeps running.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 2:44 PM
Harriet follows after them.
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And then, somehow, ??? finds an incomprehensible sound. A calm and joyous humming, throughout the disastrous scene. Somehow, it feels more unsettling than anything else. ??? slowly makes his way towards it.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 2:52 PM
Harriet follows.
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Shuichi Maoziwam walks through the streets, pouring gasoline everywhere. ??? lets out a shocked scream.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 3:03 PM
"What the fuck..?" Harriet says, confused.
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Shuichi doesn’t notice the scream. He’s wearing ear plugs. Instead, he tosses the empty gasoline container to the side and turns to look at the scene. He lights a cigarette and simply stares for a moment. ??? in turn stares at him silently.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 3:10 PM
Harriet watches, holding her breath.
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This scene continues, nearly unmoving, until Shuichi finishes his cigarette. He raises his arms in some sort of mock prayer and speaks. "May your souls Rest In Peace. I will not forget your sacrifices." A smirk forms on his face. "God has seen you, and accepted you into the heavens for your sacrifices." He bows, and walks away from the ruins.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 3:22 PM
"What...?" Harriet says.
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??? runs back into town.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 3:27 PM
Harriet follows him.
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There doesn’t seem to be anyone left alive. ??? slowly makes his way through the ruins, heading back home.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 3:31 PM
"What on earth happened here?" Harriet asks.
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"A selection. It was in these ruins that Shuichi Maoziwam created the basis for his empire. Such is the endless ambition tied to the Maoziwam name." Me.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 3:43 PM
"And I.. sympathized with him for a bit, too." Harriet says sourly.
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"Do not. Shuichi Maoziwam is a vile man. He deserves no sympathy from anyone." Me.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 3:52 PM
Harriet snorts. "I don't particularly want God to tell me who or who not I'm allowed to feel empathy towards."
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"Who else should decide morality?"
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 3:59 PM
Harriet runs her tongue over her teeth. "Well, it's all very individualist, isn't it? I'd like it to be me."
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??? arrives home. In the collapsed remains is someone who’s still breathing, but clearly in pain. ??? tries to lift up the rubble off of them.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 4:04 PM
Harriet bends down to watch.
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As ??? does this, he hears a cough from behind him. He turns around and finds his brother crawling, clearly hurt. ??? drops the rubble and runs towards his brother. The person dies. It makes an unforgettable noise.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 4:07 PM
Harriet winces. "Fuck."
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??? hugs his brother. The scene changes to a hospital room. ???'s brother is in the bed, staring intensely at nothing. ??? grips his hand.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 4:17 PM
Harriet watches.
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The scene proceeds in fast forward, across days and nights. But neither of them seem to move. Eventually, ??? speaks. "…Maoziwam did it." His brother finally turns to him, slowly. "…What?"
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 4:22 PM
Harriet watches.
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"He did it… All of that." ???. "Where is… Where is he now?" Brother. "America." ???. His brother gets out of the bed and shakily tries to leave.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 4:26 PM
Harriet watches.
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Obviously, they did not simply fly to America right then and there. It took years for them to make it there. But evidently, they did make it. And in the next scene, the brothers stand in Avengard together.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 4:37 PM
Harriet watches.
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??? reads the news. Somehow, Johnner beat them here. He’s even started a criminal empire in the city. "What’s the plan?" ???. "…We burn him down. Everything Shuichi Maoziwam has. We burn him to the ground." Brother. "But he has… A lot." ???.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 4:42 PM
"That's an understatement," Harriet mutters.
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"Then… We start big. He has a wife, right?" Brother. "That’s…" ??? looks at his brother expectantly, but stops. "Yeah."
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 4:53 PM
Harriet frowns, but keeps watching.
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"I stole this gun, earlier." The brother shows off a pistol. "We’re going to kill her." ??? frowns, but nods. The scene changes to Carmen Maoziwam sitting alone at a restaurant, while the brothers stealthily approach her.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 5:07 PM
"I really don't want to watch this," Harriet says nervously.
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They approach closer… and closer… and closer. Until a gunshot rings out. But it’s not one of the brothers, it’s a security guard. It misses, but it still does it’s job. The 2 brothers run away in a panic, and Carmen Maoziwam lives to die in a car crash.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 5:10 PM
"Why are you showing this?" Harriet asks. "What do you expect me to get out of this?"
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The scene changes to them hidden again. "…He’s too rich. Too powerful. We can’t… We can’t hurt him yet." ???. "We just… We just have to rely on what we do know. Johnner. I’ll… I’ll go to him." Brother.
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Harriet Kadin 7/22/2023 5:15 PM
((gotta go))
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((Alright. Sorry for dragging you through this))
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((Saturday))
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 1:39 PM
((Gonna be around half an hour late))
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((Ok))
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 2:36 PM
Harriet watches.
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"Johnner? Are you sure he’ll listen?" ???. "I’ll figure it out, okay? I can do this." Brother. "…Alright. I trust you. But don’t get yourself hurt." ???. "I know… We’re all we have left, right?" The brother turned to leave.
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 2:45 PM
Harriet watches.
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The scene changes, but still in the same area. The brother returns. "He didn’t even recognize me. That son of a bitch!" He kicks something over. "So… That’s it? We fail? Shuichi gets off free?" ???. "No… We just have to start off smaller." The brother sits down. "If Johnner’s going to be our enemy too, we just have to start with him. We watch his actions, and we strike at some weak point." "Are you… Sure?" ???. "Yeah." His brother doesn’t face him.
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 2:57 PM
Harriet watches. That's all she can do, isn't it?
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A few scenes go by of the brothers spying on Jeff Johnner. Eventually they come across him meeting with this man.
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 3:08 PM
Harriet frowns, but continues to watch.
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Their conversation isn’t clear, but the brothers have never seen this man before so they choose to follow him this time. He heads to a normal house in Shelk and doesn’t do anything noteworthy. But when he arrives, a young girl is visible inside. Harriet experiences a strange deja-vu at this child.
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 3:12 PM
Harriet grimaces and clutches her head, but continues to watch.
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FB shuts the door, and the brothers move away from his home. "That wasn’t helpful." ???. "But it could be." Brother. "What? How?" ???. "An old man and a child. Johnner will have to get involved if we take one of them… And demand money." Brother.
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 3:17 PM
Harriet watches.
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"Kidnapping? But that’s…" ???. "We just tried to murder someone. I think we can be fine with kidnapping. We won’t hurt her or anything." His brother speaks bitterly. ??? sighs, and looks away.
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 3:23 PM
Harriet watches, feeling a soft surge in her stomach, uncomfortable. Something about this feels so familiar.
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The scene changes. The brothers are in a windowless van, watching as FB and his daughter walk out of the old Edlightenment building, which is currently filled with people. The 2 drive slightly behind them, waiting for an opening.
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 3:26 PM
Harriet wants to put her hands over eyes, but something compels her not to. She watches.
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The van pulls to a stop, and the 2 run out. They quickly snatch the kid from the man's arms and rush into the van. FB is unable to fight back.
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 3:31 PM
Harriet shudders. Disgust crawls over her like a live animal.
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They get in the van, and drive off. The young girl looks at Harriet.
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 3:39 PM
((is harriet being like, dragged along beside the van, or in the van, or ?))
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((In the van))
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 3:44 PM
Harriet looks at her, eyes wide. "Can you see me?"
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"…Yes? Who are you?"
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 3:47 PM
"My name is Harriet. I'm.. in the past, I think."
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She looks around. "I thought it was a car."
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 3:54 PM
Harriet frowns. "I'm.. in the past, in a car."
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It’s actually a van. "What does that mean?"
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 4:02 PM
"It's hard to explain." Harriet glances at the driver, trying to tell if he's weirded out by this little girl speaking into thin air at all.
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They’re not paying attention.
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 4:08 PM
Harriet turns back to her. "What's your name?"
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"I’m not… Supposed to share it with strangers."
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 4:13 PM
"I'm sorry, I just - want to help you. Do you understand what's happening to you right now?"
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"I’m being taken somewhere."
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 4:15 PM
"You're - you're being kidnapped. Do you realize this?"
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"…Again?"
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 4:19 PM
"..How often does this happen to you?" (edited)
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She doesn’t answer.
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 4:23 PM
Harriet tries to coax her face into something resembling approachability and kindness. She's so fucking vulnerable, she thinks, with a wave of revulsion washing over her, abject disgust. All kids are. Done up in her fucking ribbons, all demure, like that's going to get her anywhere, this cold complacency, this dullness. Something sputters.
4:24 PM
Harriet slaps herself - quick, sudden. The motion, once-unfamiliar, has, she realizes all of a sudden, become therapeutic. There's a beauty in the violence that wasn't there - the system of punishment and discipline.
4:24 PM
"I'm sorry. I want.. to try and help you." Harriet says carefully, nursing her aching jaw.
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"…Why?"
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 4:36 PM
"Because... you're in a bad situation? And.. that's what I do. I - I help." (edited)
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"That’s not true."
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 4:44 PM
"What do you mean?"
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"You’re not… Real."
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 4:48 PM
Harriet frowns. "I- I am real. I am."
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She reaches out through Harriet.
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 4:51 PM
Harriet gasps and attempts to touch her own skin.
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Harriet feels herself.
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 4:58 PM
((Gonna have to stop here because it’s storming really bad and the power’s out))
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((Alright))
4:58 PM
((Ily bye))
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Harriet Kadin 7/29/2023 5:00 PM
((ily2 oomfie byeee))
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((Saturday))
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Harriet Kadin 8/5/2023 3:15 AM
((i cannot session today on account of being in ireland))
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Harriet Kadin 8/5/2023 6:57 AM
((actually i’m not sure because of the time difference i might be available i’ll lyk))
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Harriet feels herself.
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Harriet Kadin 8/5/2023 2:08 PM
((i CANNOT sorry))
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((Alright. Can you do a makeup session sometime then))
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((Saturday if you can’t))
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((Let me know as soon as you can session))
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Harriet Kadin 8/15/2023 5:47 PM
((Tomorrow))
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((Yippee))
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Harriet feels herself.
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Harriet Kadin 8/16/2023 2:05 PM
"What..?"
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"Are you a ghost?"
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Harriet Kadin 8/16/2023 2:23 PM
"I don't think I am."
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"Why not?"
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Harriet Kadin 8/16/2023 2:25 PM
"Well, I.. haven't died."
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"Oh."
2:28 PM
"What do you think happens when you die?"
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Harriet Kadin 8/16/2023 2:34 PM
"Um... you go to heaven if you're good, and hell if you're bad, I think. It's complicated."
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"…I don’t want to go to hell." The van pulls to a stop.
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Harriet Kadin 8/16/2023 2:38 PM
Harriet frowns, her lips tugging downwards. "Well, don't worry. You're not the kind of person who goes to hell."
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"Who is, then?"
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Harriet Kadin 8/16/2023 2:51 PM
"Me. But I'm not there yet, okay?"
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"Okay." ??? opens the door, and the scene changes. The brothers are back in their little hideout, nervous.
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Harriet Kadin 8/16/2023 2:56 PM
Harriet watches.
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"Are you… Sure that was a good idea?" ???. "What else would we have done? Leave things as they are?" His brother sighs. "…It’s not like we hurt anyone." "But… She’s just a kid." ???. "A kid who’s clearly in with the wrong people. If anything, we’ve clearly helped her by taking her away from them." Brother. "But… We’re gonna give her back, aren’t we? In exchange for the ransom?" ???. "…" Brother. "Aren’t we?" ???.
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Harriet Kadin 8/16/2023 3:05 PM
"Fuck," Harriet says under her breath, and keeps watching.
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"…Of course we are." The brother finally responds. "Otherwise, we’d only be stuck with a liability and no money." "So that defence doesn’t work. We’re not saving her from anything, just putting her in temporary danger." ??? "Does it matter?" Brother. "I’m just… I’m just saying- I don’t really feel comfortable doing this." ???. "We apparently didn’t deserve a stable home, why does she?" His brother blurts out.
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Harriet Kadin 8/16/2023 3:12 PM
Harriet watches.
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"…What?" ???. "…S-Sorry." His brother sighs and sits down. "I don’t… This is just getting to me." "No, it’s… It’s fine. I’ll stick with you. We’ve got each other, right?" ???. "…Right." The brother pulls out a phone. "I’ll call him now. Arrange the exchange."
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Harriet Kadin 8/16/2023 3:21 PM
Harriet watches.
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He takes the phone and calls. "…Hello? Who is this?" Johnner picks up, but the brother remains completely silent for some reason. ??? takes a deep breath and grabs the phone. "We have the girl. Give us 2 million dollars or you’ll never see her again."
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Harriet Kadin 8/16/2023 3:32 PM
Harriet watches.
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"…It’s you." Johnner replies. The scene changes.
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Harriet Kadin 8/16/2023 3:41 PM
Harriet keeps watching.
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??? is panicking alone as his brother rushes in. "They’re here." "Shit…" ??? peeks out of the door to see several cars outside, as Johnner gets out of one with a gun. "Do you have a plan to get us out of here?" "…Something like that." ???'s brother puts a gun to his head.
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Harriet Kadin 8/16/2023 3:54 PM
Harriet watches.
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"Wh… What?" ???. "…" His brother drags him outside in front of Johnner. "Here. Your kidnapper." Johnner examines them carefully. “…Huh. Whadda ya know?"
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Harriet Kadin 8/16/2023 4:06 PM
Harriet watches.
4:06 PM
This does not look good, she thinks idly to herself.
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"What’s going on?" ???. "What can I say…? I’m loyal to Johnner. Right?" His brother laughs. "You motherfucker!" ???, shocked, tries to grab his brother’s throat, but is instead hit in the back of the head by Johnner. "…Guess so." Johnner.
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Harriet Kadin 8/16/2023 4:08 PM
It's shocking how easy it is to disconnect from the emotional reality of the situation when she has no say in it, Harriet thinks.
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"What’s going to happen to him?" Brother. "Well… We’ve got some ideas." Johnner says, as the scene changes. ??? is strapped to what looks like a surgical bed. A few unfamiliar people are standing next to him, with FB among them.
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Harriet Kadin 8/16/2023 4:18 PM
Harriet watches.
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"Haha-Ha! So this is the first subject in the brilliant adventures of TAP?" Blond hair. "Second, by technicality. That young girl was given to us as well." Brown hair. "Does it really matter, CR?" The blue haired guy says this to the brown haired one. "These small details tend to matter, yes." Brown hair.
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Harriet Kadin 8/16/2023 4:27 PM
"H..what?" Harriet says.
4:27 PM
((hey gotta go. we can resume tmrw if u still wanna play catchup))
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((Yes please. Shouldn't be too much more))
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Harriet Kadin 8/16/2023 4:28 PM
((Awesome))
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"Wh-What…?" ???. "Are you all done here? I believe it’s I get to work." FB.
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Harriet Kadin 8/17/2023 2:08 PM
"I don't understand what's happening right now," Harriet says.
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"TAP awaaaaay!" The blond guy leaves. "I did not require your permission to leave." CR readjusts his classes. "But yes, LM. Let’s go." He says this to the blue haired one and leaves. LM, presumably, nods and follows him out. "Wait! Wait! Someone help meeeee!" ???.
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Harriet Kadin 8/17/2023 2:16 PM
Harriet watches, deeply confused.
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"Allow me to make this simple. No one is going to help you." FB grabs a scalpel. "W-Wait… I’ll do anything! Is this about your daughter? I didn’t want to do that! H-He pushed me I didn’t-" ???. "Shhhh." FB makes a shushing motion, and ??? shuts up. "Don’t worry, I am not a violent person. I have no intention of hurting you or anyone else. I am simply serving as a cog, much the same as you are."
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Harriet Kadin 8/17/2023 2:22 PM
Harriet tries to look away. She doesn't want to see this, she doesn't want to be a part of this, she doesn't want to be this.
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"What… What are you doing then?" ???. "Helping you. …In a sense. You are about to take part in a project designed to arrive at the very core of human existence." FB. "…Breathing?" ???. "No, of course not. Naturally, I’m referring to… Memory." FB.
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Harriet Kadin 8/17/2023 2:25 PM
Harriet splays her fingers out slightly, and watches between the cracks.
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"Memory?" ???. "It defines everything about us. Who we are, what we do… Is entirely brought upon by what we have lived through. We are all simply what we have been nurtured to be. Stripped of that, all people are the same. It is the arrogance of humanity that some choose to believe otherwise." FB. "What does… That mean?" ???. "It means I am going to erase you. All of you… And create a greater person in your stead." FB.
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Harriet Kadin 8/17/2023 2:34 PM
Harriet quietly mouths "what the fuck" to herself.
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??? is shocked as well. "Do not worry. Though you will die in any sort of spiritual sense, as the process is perfect… When we have finished you will become a perfect person. One without flaw and whom truly understands." FB. ??? starts to cry. "…I’m sorry." "There is nothing to apologize for." FB places the scalpel to the side of ???'s face. "After all, I do not even have a daughter." He starts cutting.
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Harriet Kadin 8/17/2023 2:40 PM
"Fuck-!" Harriet says, and looks away.
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Painful agonizing screams ring out for a while, as Harriet looks away.
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Harriet Kadin 8/17/2023 2:42 PM
Harriet shudders and waits for it to be over.
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The scene changes once again, but not much has changed now. ???'s face is covered in bandages and FB is standing next to them. Standing next to Harriet is another ???, who seems to be capable of seeing her. (( #harriet-and-unknown this Saturday))
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / harriet-and-unknown
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Harriet Kadin 8/19/2023 2:09 PM
Harriet stares, astonished.
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"Why are you standing?"
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Harriet Kadin 8/19/2023 2:21 PM
"That's a great question," Harriet says flatly.
2:21 PM
"I don't have an answer."
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"You are now born anew." FB says this. "What? Let me go." ???.
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Harriet Kadin 8/19/2023 2:23 PM
"I don't understand why I need to see this," Harriet says.
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"I don't understand why the hell you're here."
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Harriet Kadin 8/19/2023 2:58 PM
"My job, apparently, is to bear witness to an awful lot of terrible shit while able to do nothing about it."
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"Are you good at it?"
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"Soon you will be born once again as your perfect self. But we have not reached there, quite yet. For now, we shall experiment with a blank slate." FB. "Let me go! I don’t know what you’re talking about!" ???.
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Harriet Kadin 8/19/2023 3:03 PM
"What happened to you?" Harriet says.
3:03 PM
I stare at Harriet. "......That's not me." (edited)
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Harriet Kadin 8/19/2023 3:04 PM
Harriet frowns. "Who is it, then?"
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It is quite unmistakably ???.
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"I don't know???"
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Harriet Kadin 8/19/2023 3:06 PM
"Forgive me for not believing you."
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"Oh. Are you truly so hostile? I suppose a baby who possesses the English language might not be so different." FB. "Shut up! Let me go!" ???.
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"I hate that person!"
3:16 PM
I stand still for a moment. "Wait, what?"
3:16 PM
"Um... Listen, do you know a way out of here?" (edited)
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This creepy looking person enters the room. "Now, FB... Were you truly so unready?"
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???
"Um... Listen, do you know a way out of here?" (edited)
Harriet Kadin 8/19/2023 3:20 PM
"I've sort of been.. stuck, here, for the last few hours.. just watching things that've already happened. I talked to God, but it didn't do much good. Prayer with bloody hands doesn't get me anywhere..." Harriet mumbles, drifting off into near-incoherency.
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"I'm the same. I did the same thing.
3:23 PM
"God? You mean Jeff's boss?"
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Harriet Kadin 8/19/2023 3:24 PM
Harriet frowns. "I don't know who they were."
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"He's "the perfect person", apparently."
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Harriet Kadin 8/19/2023 3:27 PM
"What's his name?"
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"...God?"
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Harriet Kadin 8/19/2023 3:29 PM
"No, Jeff's boss."
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"SM? Is something wrong?" FB. "No. I just wanted to speak to him." SM, supposedly, walks over to the other ??? and whispers. "Gods truly do exist." "What?" ???.
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Harriet Kadin 8/19/2023 3:32 PM
"What?"
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"Say it back." SM. ??? whispers. "Gods... Truly do exist."
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Harriet Kadin 8/19/2023 3:34 PM
"His full name can't seriously be God."
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"Why wouldn't it be?"
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"Her name is Ehn." SM smiles sinisterly. "And you're going to help me kill her." A small white semi-transparent animal enters the room, and the world goes fully black.
3:36 PM
((That's the end of chapter 9))
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / sean-niebel
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As Sean arrives, midnight passes. ((End chapter))
3:06 PM
Sean is now at the cabin.
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 3:12 PM
That is late. I'd rather go to sleep as soon as I'm done here. I wouldn't want to disrupt my schedule. The news... I'll contact them in the morning, I suppose. ((are there any signs that ouroboros is here. like his car or the light being on)) Hm. Still unsure if coming here was a good idea.
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The light inside the cabin is on.
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 3:15 PM
...After a certain amount of unproductive hesitation, I go and knock on the door.
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There’s a moment of silence before Ouroboros answers. "Who’s there?"
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 3:17 PM
"Me."
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"...You and only you?" (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 3:22 PM
"Likely."
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"I'm not playing around, Niebel. I'm not opening this door unless you're alone." (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 3:23 PM
"Where did you get the key?"
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"I didn't." (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 3:24 PM
"How did you find this place?"
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"State your business." (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 3:26 PM
"Answer me."
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"You're delusional. You have no right to this cabin any longer. I doubt that whatever you need from here is important in the slightest." Ouroboros. The voice of that young girl Sean once met in Ouroboros's house speaks up behind the door. "It’s cold outside… Shouldn’t you… Let him in?" (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 3:49 PM
"Answer me! Why are you here?" I make sure my gun is in the bag. He's always been doing...something. 'Grizz', these terrorists, and now he is here... Why?! I just... If he won't answer, the brush can get rid of the wounds, and they won't know what killed him. No, yes, yes. I am not a good person. I have killed a man before, and a second victim in the same place won't be a difficulty. If this... yes, that's how it will be.
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"Remember how you had a bunch of gangsters after you? Same deal. I'm hiding here because I thought it was the one place in a thousand-mile radius of Avengard that nobody cared about. I guess I was wrong." Ouroboros. (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 3:54 PM
"How did you know about this place?!"
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"Just a bit of information I happened to come across." Ouroboros. (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 3:55 PM
"Where?!"
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On the internet. Because you're a semi-public figure and own it, presumably. Natural consequence of owning a franchise like King Burger." Ouroboros. (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 4:06 PM
"Stop lying! Why would this place be in King Burger's documents?! You've known about this way before then, didn't you, 'Grizz'?!"
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"I've been nothing but honest with you, Niebel. Another quick little truth for you: neither of us have any reason to care about each other any more. As soon as this thing blows over and I'm safe, I'll be gone, and you can jerk off to all the memories this place holds for you or whatever." Ouroboros. (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 4:10 PM
"Answer me!" I try to open the door. Realising that it's locked, I unlock it with my keys. ((if it isnt locked for some reason tell me and ill delete the second sentence))
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Inside the cabin, Ouroboros and the girl are alone. Ouroboros has an empty gun holster at his side, but there’s no guns anywhere in sight. "I regretted selling my brand, and now I have it back. It's as simple as that. Only natural I'd come across a place like this while looking into you." Ouroboros. (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 4:21 PM
"How did you find this place, really? No King Burger documents would talk about it." (edited)
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"Your sins aren't exactly well-hidden, Niebel. My brand deserves better than to be left in hands like yours. Is that what you want to hear?" Ouroboros. (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 4:31 PM
As I thought. A worthless person. Only one point remains. "And the cat?"
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"What about the cat?" Ouroboros. (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 4:34 PM
"Everything you know."
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"I've already told you everything." Ouroboros. (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 4:41 PM
"How did you meet it?"
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"Showed up out of nowhere, as cats do." Ouroboros. (edited)
4:42 PM
The girl has been nervously sitting to the side this whole time. She hasn’t made a sound.
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 4:44 PM
"And how was it useful, exactly?"
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"It wasn't. It reminded me about a gun that I don't need and never used." Ouroboros. (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 4:48 PM
"What gun?"
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"Just... a pistol. My wife's." Ouroboros. (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 4:53 PM
"Such a fantastical, talking cat bringing a normal gun that you can easily buy in this country?"
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"Said she enchanted it. No clue what that enchantment is, nor do I really care." Ouroboros. (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 4:54 PM
"Then what was it?"
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"She never told me, and I never shot it, so I guess that's a mystery I'll die not knowing the answer to." Ouroboros. (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 5:02 PM
"Not even into the air, just to understand it? Not even when you were attacked?"
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"I don't need a gun. If you need to shoot a problem to make it go away, then you're probably not a very smart person." Ouroboros. (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 5:09 PM
"Then you are useless, and I have no reason not to reveal your location."
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"Christ. What could you possibly gain from that?" Ouroboros. (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 5:13 PM
"Lack of an enemy, at least. Who knows what else you'd want from me." I avoid mentioning that he already lost King Burger again.
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"I don't know what to tell you, Niebel. You had something I wanted, and now I have it. That's as far as our relationship will go. Was the whole thing with the mercenaries and kidnapping stupid and shitty? Yes, but that doesn't mean you should let it affect you. I haven't let it affect me. People aren't defined by their past mistakes; if you don't sell me out here, I'm sure the universe will take notice and reward you." Ouroboros. "What about me…? Am I defined by them?" The girl. He knits his brow, caught off-guard. "What? Your past mistakes?" As Maria starts to speak again, Ouroboros interrupts her. "Look, Niebel, the point is that you haven't even told me what you want from me, or this cabin, or whatever the fuck it is you want here, and you're essentially threatening me with my death. And to what end? This is not the kind of person you want to be, I'm sure. Your future is too bright for you to get charged as an accomplice to my murder here." (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 5:37 PM
All these words are meaningless. Justifications for things he has already done, empty promises for the future. "So where is the gun now?"
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"If I tell you that, do you agree to not sell me out?" (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 5:38 PM
"Mhm."
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"Sir… Why do you want to leave?" The girl speaks up suddenly. "It’s safer here, right? Here… No one can hurt you." "He doesn't have any reason to hide, Maria. He's not being hunted." Ouroboros turns back to Sean. "The gun's at home, in my room. Try not to alert my wife." (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 5:54 PM
I turn to the girl. "'Safer'. Is there any more meaning in time spent here than in being hurt? How long will you stay there? Until what happens?"
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"I don’t… Know." Maria. "...Until we can be sure Jeff Johnner isn't after our heads. I'm sure you can empathize with that, right, Sean?" Ouroboros. (edited)
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 6:06 PM
((does sean know who jeff johnner is))
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((You’d know better than me))
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 6:20 PM
((how would i know that. i have no idea who jeff johnner is)) (edited)
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((If he hasn’t been mentioned in front of you you don’t know him. I was just saying it’s harder for me to keep track of who knows what))
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 6:23 PM
((oh okay. the phrasing kind of implied jeff johnner is someone famous so i thought that maybe sean is supposed to know)) (edited)
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Ehn/PC
"I don’t… Know." Maria. "...Until we can be sure Jeff Johnner isn't after our heads. I'm sure you can empathize with that, right, Sean?" Ouroboros. (edited)
Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 6:49 PM
Exactly. That only happens in the movies. How many real "heroes" like that would anyone even know? It's not worth debating. He is only bringing this up to get me to fight his assassins. I talk to the girl instead. "Your father can just spend the rest of his life here, with his empty hope of being remembered through descendants, but you? You are just wasting time here. The world won't need you unless you force it to." I couldn't care less about this girl's fate. But if she agrees with me, it will be further proof that I am correct. "Your friend was searching for you. Duvelt, was it? So far, he is still worried. But it won't be long before he gives up and forgets you. Human relationships are more fragile than you'd think."
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"Shawn...?" Maria pauses. "That's... Alright. He's probably already forgotten me. I'm not worth his time. I'm just... A pathetic girl who can't do anything right. You don't have to worry about me, Mr. Sean. Even if I wanted the world to need me... I can't. It wouldn't mean anything... Because 'I' am not 'me'."
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Sean Niebel 6/10/2023 7:05 PM
"Of course, there's no guarantee of success. It's not even likely; most people end up forgotten. But isn't trying, even with the lowest chance of success, better than to live the entire life accomplishing nothing?"
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"Sean's right, to some extent. Your mother may have forced her name onto you, but you're not bound to her. You're entirely capable of living life without latching onto someone else for support." Ouroboros. "..." Maria doesn't answer immediately. When she finally speaks up, it's barely audible. "...How?" (edited)
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((No session this week))
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((You can have a session on Saturday if this isn’t too late notice))
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"Sean's right, to some extent. Your mother may have forced her name onto you, but you're not bound to her. You're entirely capable of living life without latching onto someone else for support." Ouroboros. "..." Maria doesn't answer immediately. When she finally speaks up, it's barely audible. "...How?" (edited)
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((Saturday))
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"Sean's right, to some extent. Your mother may have forced her name onto you, but you're not bound to her. You're entirely capable of living life without latching onto someone else for support." Ouroboros. "..." Maria doesn't answer immediately. When she finally speaks up, it's barely audible. "...How?" (edited)
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 3:00 PM
"You'll have to find that yourself."
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"...That's what I thought." Maria.
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 3:07 PM
"Do you agree with what I said, then?"
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"I'm... Not who you think I am. I can't... Do anything right, no matter how hard I try. It's like it's coded into me. I'm a failure. I'm a failure. I'm a failure. I'm a failure. I'm a failure. I'm a failure." Maria starts repeating that over and over. "...Maria, hey, um... that's not true. I think... you've gone too long without sleeping for your own good. I'm really sorry about Niebel. I..." Ouroboros. "I'm a failure. I'm a failure. I'm a failure. I'm a failure. I'm a failure. I'm a failure." Maria keeps repeating this to herself as she climbs up onto a table, making her tower over the 2 men. "My name is Maria Stanley, daughter of the Stanley family. Welcome to our home. It's the only thing I have in the world. What business would you like to discuss?" (edited)
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 3:33 PM
No point talking to her, then. I do not particularly care about her insanity. I leave.
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They do not follow Sean.
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 3:40 PM
I get into the car and return home. I put the shoulder bag into the safe and go to sleep. (edited)
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The second Sean sits down in the front seat of his car, a knife gets put up to his throat. A drunk woman gets up in the back of the car, and holds the blade tightly to his neck. "Heeeeeeya, Mr Niebel."
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 3:49 PM
"What do you want?"
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"See… Lately, people seem to be underestimating me. They’re all like… 'Oh, EL, you’re such a joker. You wouldn’t actually torch orphans into ashes and feel no shame. That’s too extreme!' When y’know… I’m such an extreme girl! Cruelty and evil are what make me who I am. I’m getting real tired of getting looked down on! So… I had a thought, y’know? I’ll teach them to underestimate the genius evil of EL! I’ll go to the guy who I’m the least allowed to kill, slit his throat, and then drag his decapitated head back to my boss. Hell of a message, huh?" She starts laughing.
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 4:12 PM
More insane people. "My death won't change anything."
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"You say that, but you still knew I meant you!"
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 4:23 PM
"Put the knife away. There are better ways to do this."
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"Oh, see… You missed a crucial piece of my character…" She stabs Sean in the side. "I don’t listen to reason!" She bursts out laughing.
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 4:25 PM
((does she move the knife away from sean's throat for that or))
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((Yes))
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 4:31 PM
Once she moves the knife away from my throat, I get out of the car. After that I try to use my keys to lock her inside. The wound is unpleasant, but largely irrelevant.
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She just presses the unlock button on the inside of the car.
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 4:42 PM
An oversight. I run back to the cabin.
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She chases after him. Ouroboros and Maria are not in the cabin anymore.
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 4:46 PM
((its been like a few minutes since sean left the cabin, right?))
4:46 PM
I lock the cabin's door from the inside and ready the gun.
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((I’d say closer to like half an hour maybe, given the fact the cabin is not like directly in front of the parking lot)) There’s a lot of knocks at the door, changing in intensity and position consistently.
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 5:02 PM
((i am assuming the wound isnt like too severe and sean isnt dying rn)) I wait with the gun pointed at the door. And ready to move it to the windows if she attempts that. "It's pointless."
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"Aren’t you teeeerrified, Sean Niebel? I’m gonna put fear so deep in your heart you’re never gonna forget me!"
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 5:50 PM
"Stop wasting my time." Death here would certainly be an undesirable outcome. But not significantly worse than any other result in which I fail to achieve my goals. They are effectively the same, in fact. (edited)
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She peers in from the window.
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 5:52 PM
((is it the one that is broken))
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((Sure yeah))
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 6:00 PM
I shoot her.
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((Roll))
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 6:01 PM
((19))
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She's only barely peering in the window, so the shot could not have hit a fatal area. But it still strikes her directly in the face, causing her to fall out of sight.
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 6:12 PM
This is entirely pointless. There is no potential value in this attacker. "Is that all?" (edited)
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She doesn't respond.
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 6:21 PM
I attempt to look through the window without getting too close to it.
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There's a bloody trail back to the parking lot.
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 6:29 PM
Finally. I fix my wound with the brush and return to the parking lot, still holding the gun in case she returns.
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Sean's phone rings.
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 6:33 PM
((when does this happen. how much of the previous message has happened by then.))
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((All of it))
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 6:36 PM
I ignore it for now. I make sure no one is in the car I used to get here, then enter it and lock it from the inside. Then I answer the phone. ((btw is there another car here and where does the bloody trail end. sean does not search for it specifically but perhaps it is visible))
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There were 2 cars in the parking lot earlier, presumably one was Ouroboros's. There is now only 1. An unfamiliar man's voice responds frantically on the phone. "Hello? Is this Sean Niebel?"
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Sean Niebel 7/1/2023 6:39 PM
"Who is asking?"
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"My name is Jeremy Baxter... I was fraudulently arrested yesterday, but I saw you in the police station... I've been looking into you because I believe we're in the same shoes. We're both haunted by the same horrible person... Ariel May."
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((Saturday))
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((Saturday))
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 2:00 PM
"No." I hang up.
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He calls back immediately.
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 2:52 PM
((hi sorry im back)) I reject the call.
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He doesn’t call back again.
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 3:04 PM
The only result of this sequence of events was wasting time I would have spent sleeping otherwise. I return home, put the shoulder bag into the safe, make sure to set the alarm for the same time as when I normally wake up, and go to sleep.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / ouroboros-stanley
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There's a knock at the door of the cabin a few minutes later.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 8:16 PM
Oh. Oh no. ... He tries to glance through the window. From a distance. Who's there?
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Ouroboros can't tell from here.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 8:17 PM
He gets a little closer. As close as he needs to.
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It's too dark outside.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 8:22 PM
... If they wanted to kill him. They probably wouldn't have knocked. "Who's there?"
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"Me." It's Sean Niebel.
‼️ 3
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 8:26 PM
Huh. "...You and only you?"
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"Likely."
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 8:27 PM
"I'm not playing around, Niebel. I'm not opening this door unless you're alone."
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"Where did you get the key?"
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 8:30 PM
Ouroboros guesses he never noticed the window he broke a week ago. "I didn't."
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"How did you find this place?"
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 8:32 PM
That's a stupid question. "State your business."
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"Answer me."
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 8:35 PM
"You're delusional. You have no right to this cabin any longer. I doubt that whatever you need from here is important in the slightest."
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"It’s cold outside… Shouldn’t you… Let him in?" Maria approaches Ouroboros and speaks. "Answer me! Why are you here?" Sean.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 8:48 PM
"Maria!" He almost whisper-shouts this over his shoulder, but slurs it. ... It's not like Sean would be working with an entirely different group of gangers after a failed hit attempt, right? It's possible he's responsible for the bounty on his head. Some sort of revenge for that which God put him through. Is that his modus operandi, though? Sean Niebel doesn't seem particularly good at working with others. Is it even possible to solve this situation logically? ...Telling the truth here probably wouldn't hurt? Worst case scenario, he's dead anyway, and telling him what he already knows. "Remember how you had a bunch of gangsters after you? Same deal. I'm hiding here because I thought it was the one place in a thousand-mile radius of Avengard that nobody cared about. I guess I was wrong."
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"How did you know about this place?!" Sean.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 8:51 PM
"Just a bit of information I happened to come across."
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"Where?!" Sean.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 8:55 PM
He seems defensive now. Shit. Maybe Ouroboros did actually end up getting the case reopened back when that was still his problem. "On the internet. Because you're a semi-public figure and own it, presumably. Natural consequence of owning a franchise like King Burger." (edited)
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"Stop lying! Why would this place be in King Burger's documents?! You've known about this way before then, didn't you, 'Grizz'?!" Sean.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 9:03 PM
...No? "I've been nothing but honest with you, Niebel. Another quick little truth for you: neither of us have any reason to care about each other any more. As soon as this thing blows over and I'm safe, I'll be gone, and you can jerk off to all the memories this place holds for you or whatever."
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"Answer me!" Sean somehow unlocks and opens the door.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 9:05 PM
...Oh. Right. He figures it'd make sense for him to have the key to his own fucking cabin. Is he visibly armed?
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He is not.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 9:09 PM
This could be worse, then. "I regretted selling my brand, and now I have it back. It's as simple as that. Only natural I'd come across a place like this while looking into you."
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"How did you find this place, really? No King Burger documents would talk about it." Sean.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 9:17 PM
"Your sins aren't exactly well-hidden, Niebel. My brand deserves better than to be left in hands like yours. Is that what you want to hear?"
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"And the cat?" Sean.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 9:24 PM
Holy shit, is that what this is about? "What about the cat?"
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"Everything you know." Sean.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 9:25 PM
"I've already told you everything."
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"How did you meet it?" Sean.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 9:28 PM
"Showed up out of nowhere, as cats do."
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"And how was it useful, exactly?" Sean.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 9:33 PM
"It wasn't. It reminded me about a gun that I don't need and never used."
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"What gun?" Sean.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 9:36 PM
"Just... a pistol. My wife's."
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"Such a fantastical, talking cat bringing a normal gun that you can easily buy in this country?" Sean.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 9:39 PM
"Said she enchanted it. No clue what that enchantment is, nor do I really care."
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"Then what was it?" Sean.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 9:41 PM
"She never told me, and I never shot it, so I guess that's a mystery I'll die not knowing the answer to."
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"Not even into the air, just to understand it? Not even when you were attacked?" Sean.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 9:43 PM
"I don't need a gun. If you need to shoot a problem to make it go away, then you're probably not a very smart person."
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"Then you are useless, and I have no reason not to reveal your location." Sean.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 9:45 PM
"Christ. What could you possibly gain from that?" He's starting to control the situation. This isn't good.
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"Lack of an enemy, at least. Who knows what else you'd want from me." Sean.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/25/2024 10:05 PM
An enemy? Don't act so self-important. "I don't know what to tell you, Niebel. You had something I wanted, and now I have it. That's as far as our relationship will go. Was the whole thing with the mercenaries and kidnapping stupid and shitty? Yes, but that doesn't mean you should let it affect you. I haven't let it affect me. People aren't defined by their past mistakes; if you don't sell me out here, I'm sure the universe will take notice and reward you." (edited)
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"What about me…? Am I defined by them?" Maria.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/27/2024 10:11 PM
He knits his brow, caught off-guard. "What? Your past mistakes?"
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/27/2024 10:22 PM
"Look, Niebel, the point is that you haven't even told me what you want from me, or this cabin, or whatever the fuck it is you want here, and you're essentially threatening me with my death. And to what end? This is not the kind of person you want to be, I'm sure. Your future is too bright for you to get charged as an accomplice to my murder here."
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"So where is the gun now?" Sean. (edited)
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/27/2024 10:31 PM
"If I tell you that, do you agree to not sell me out?"
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"Mhm." Sean. "Sir… Why do you want to leave?" Maria speaks up suddenly. "It’s safer here, right? Here… No one can hurt you."
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/27/2024 10:45 PM
"He doesn't have any reason to hide, Maria. He's not being hunted." He turns back to Sean. "The gun's at home, in my room. Try not to alert my wife."
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Sean turns to Maria. "'Safer'. Is there any more meaning in time spent here than in being hurt? How long will you stay there? Until what happens?" "I don’t… Know." Maria.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/30/2024 9:01 PM
"...Until we can be sure Jeff Johnner isn't after our heads. I'm sure you can empathize with that, right, Sean?"
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"Your father can just spend the rest of his life here, with his empty hope of being remembered through descendants, but you? You are just wasting time here. The world won't need you unless you force it to. Your friend was searching for you. Duvelt, was it? So far, he is still worried. But it won't be long before he gives up and forgets you. Human relationships are more fragile than you'd think." Sean. "Shawn...?" Maria pauses. "That's... Alright. He's probably already forgotten me. I'm not worth his time. I'm just... A pathetic girl who can't do anything right. You don't have to worry about me, Mr. Sean. Even if I wanted the world to need me... I can't. It wouldn't mean anything... Because 'I' am not 'me'." "Of course, there's no guarantee of success. It's not even likely; most people end up forgotten. But isn't trying, even with the lowest chance of success, better than to live the entire life accomplishing nothing?" Sean.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/30/2024 9:18 PM
Ouroboros finds it unexpectedly naive of Sean to still think he's banking on being personally remembered through his kids. He'd given up on that long before that first phone call with him. ...Whatever. Let him project. He doesn't need to... ...Maria? "Sean's right, to some extent. Your mother may have forced her name onto you, but you're not bound to her. You're entirely capable of living life without latching onto someone else for support."
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"..." Maria doesn't answer immediately. When she finally speaks up, it's barely audible. "...How?" "You'll have to find that yourself." Sean. "...That's what I thought." Maria. "Do you agree with what I said, then?" Sean. "I'm... Not who you think I am. I can't... Do anything right, no matter how hard I try. It's like it's coded into me. I'm a failure. I'm a failure. I'm a failure. I'm a failure. I'm a failure. I'm a failure." Maria starts repeating that over and over. (edited)
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/30/2024 9:34 PM
Oh, God. "...Maria, hey, um... that's not true. I think... you've gone too long without sleeping for your own good. I'm really sorry about Niebel. I..."
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"I'm a failure. I'm a failure. I'm a failure. I'm a failure. I'm a failure. I'm a failure." Maria keeps repeating this to herself as she climbs up onto a table, making her tower over the 2 men. "My name is Maria Stanley, daughter of the Stanley family. Welcome to our home. It's the only thing I have in the world. What business would you like to discuss?" Sean leaves.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/30/2024 9:49 PM
He doesn't give much attention to Sean leaving. "Maria, what are you talking about? What could have..." He's hurt, seeing Maria act like this. But more than he's hurt, he's confused. What prompted this? Is their reality finally starting to settle in? Has Johnner reminded her of her own mortality?
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"What business would you like to discuss?" She’s shaking.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/30/2024 9:54 PM
"This isn't business, Maria. We're..." Suddenly, he cuts himself off, eyes pointed to the floor.
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"What is it!?" She screams angrily.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/30/2024 9:57 PM
"We're talking! We're just talking, okay?!" Ouroboros, obviously startled, looks back at her. "I'm- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shout, I'm just not sure... what you're... I'm not sure what's happening..."
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"Just tell me what you want from me!"
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/30/2024 10:01 PM
"I want you to be your own person, Maria! Okay?! I want that. I want you to choose for yourself what path in life you forge. Must I say it outright?"
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"Aghhhh!" Maria runs out of the cabin.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/30/2024 10:05 PM
"Maria!-" He dashes after her.
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She runs towards the cliff.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/30/2024 10:08 PM
"Maria, what are you doing?!" He stops about twenty feet shy of the drop.
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She keeps running, and then slips on the snow just short of the drop.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/30/2024 10:11 PM
"...You don't actually plan on killing youself here, do you?" He takes a couple cautious steps towards her as she lay on the ground.
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"…Why not?"
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/30/2024 10:13 PM
"Why not? Why not?! Maria, come on... has your mother dug that far into your head...?"
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She buries her face into the ground.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/30/2024 10:15 PM
He walks over to her silently, looking down at her.
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She tries pulling herself off the cliff with her arms.
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/30/2024 10:19 PM
... He simply grabs the collar of her shirt. God damn it.
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"Let go of me! …P-Please!"
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/30/2024 10:23 PM
He lifts her off of the ground, his grip holding firm. "...We need to go to bed. You're not thinking like yourself." (edited)
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"Wh-Why do you get to decide that?"
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Ouroboros Stanley 1/30/2024 10:31 PM
"Because I know what it looks like when you're thinking like yourself, and this isn't it. Come here." He attempts to hoist her over his back. "Arms around my shoulders. You'll get frostbite if you don't dry that snow off of yourself."
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"L-Let go of me!"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 5:02 PM
Silent, he carries her back to the cabin.
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"Please!"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 5:06 PM
“You are not going to kill yourself.”
1️⃣ 3
9️⃣ 3
8️⃣ 3
4️⃣ 3
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"Why not…?"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 5:09 PM
“Because you’re not that stupid.”
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"…Wh-Why is it stupid?"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 5:17 PM
“Because if you’re dead, then you can’t move forward.” (edited)
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"I don’t want to!"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 5:20 PM
“Yes you do. You don’t realize it, but yes you fucking do.” He continues to try dragging her back to the cabin.
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"I don’t want to see Lelouch ever again!"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 5:21 PM
“Good. Then you don’t need to. Ignore everything she says.”
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"You can’t make sure of that!"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 5:22 PM
“But you can.”
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"I can’t!"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 5:46 PM
He keeps moving with her.
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She’s crying.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 5:47 PM
Keeps moving.
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Ouroboros arrives back at cabin. There’s a trail of blood leading away from the window.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 5:50 PM
"...huh?" Can he see where the blood trail ends?
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It leads towards the bottom of the mountain.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 5:58 PM
He walks quietly back inside the cabin, looking around for... other signs of life.
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It’s empty. Maria is freaking out looking at the blood.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 6:10 PM
He carries her to her bed. "Here. Wipe off the snow." He puts the bed's covers in her hands. "I just... need a moment."
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She doesn’t move.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 6:13 PM
"Please."
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"…" She stares at him, like it’s a challenge.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 6:16 PM
"...Whatever." He's too distracted for this, and it shows. He goes back outside, seeing how far down the mountain that trail of blood travels, if he can tell without going too far down.
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He can’t.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 6:25 PM
...Then he follows it for a little bit. Quietly.
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It seems to lead all the way back down to the parking lot.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 6:30 PM
That's a lot of blood. ...Going back that far would be a waste of time. He knows what he needs to know: in the time he was chasing Maria, something happened. And since something happened, that means someone was around. Why? Did Sean come back? Did he need something from the cabin, like he guessed? If so, why did he bleed so profusely? He goes back to the cabin, and checks the window the blood came from. Is it the same window he broke last week?
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((I genuinely don’t remember. Is it?))
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 6:39 PM
((I don't think you've decided this yet.))
6:39 PM
((I guess reread the Sean scene if you're paranoid))
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It is the broken one.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 6:42 PM
Are there a lot of sharp glass edges left on the frame? Does it look like someone cut themselves on them?
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There are no bloody glass pieces, so no.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 6:43 PM
... Then someone else was here. Someone other than Sean. He checks the time on his phone.
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It’s around 3AM.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 7:04 PM
“Maria.” He goes back inside.
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"…" She’s staring at him.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 7:04 PM
“We’ve been compromised. We need to leave. Now.”
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"…I don’t want to."
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 7:06 PM
“Why?”
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"…Lelouch."
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 7:08 PM
“Lelouch won’t be a problem. Come on, get up.”
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"No!"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 7:15 PM
"We don't have a choice."
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"You said I did!"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 7:20 PM
"This is different, Maria. I don't get a choice here either."
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"I don’t want to go!"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 7:27 PM
He picks her up and hoists her over his back. "Yes you do. You do not want to get shot."
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"Yes I do!" She starts kicking at him.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 7:29 PM
He begins trailing down the mountain.
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Maria breaks free of his hold and falls into the snow.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 7:31 PM
"Maria, Goddamnit..." He picks her back up. Why? How could her mother have failed her this badly?
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She moves away from him and rushes back to the cabin.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 7:33 PM
He dashes back after her. "Maria!"
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She locks the cabin door from the inside.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 7:34 PM
Okay. He steps through the broken window. (edited)
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She starts throwing anything she can find at him. "Leave me alone, Lelouch! Just let me die in peace!"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 7:38 PM
He tries to block whatever he can with his arms. "Lelouch isn't going to be a problem, I promise! You know what is a problem? Jeff Johnner! You're not going to die in peace, Maria, you're going to be mangled and tortured and swept under the rug!"
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"Then throw me off a cliff!"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 7:39 PM
"You know what? Fine. If that's what it takes, Maria." He holds out his arms in offering.
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She starts to panic and throws something at him again.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 7:44 PM
Ow.
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"I-I… Agh…"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 8:17 PM
"...Are you getting tired, Maria? You can't sleep here."
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She lays down on the floor.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 8:27 PM
He walks up to her and does nothing for a moment.
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"…What am I doing, mom?"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 8:28 PM
He tries to pick her up and put her on her back once more.
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“…I love you." She mumbles, before falling asleep.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 8:36 PM
...Okay. That's good. She's asleep now. This doesn't need to be any more of a problem than it already is. He just needs to... find somewhere else to stay. After going down the mountain. That's all he needs to do. Maria will just... ...Is Maria going to sort herself out? Is that possible? Well, no matter what, step one is going to be heading down the mountain. He shoves some chips and water in himself so he doesn't pass out on the way down, then begins the trek.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / carolyn-blythe
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They arrive at Michelle’s house. Ethfan starts looking around for anything suspicious. "Don’t approach the house until we’ve made sure." He whispers.
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 3:08 PM
Carolyn nods "Of course. If I am correct, then Grace will not have any particular reason to leave in the immediate future. There is no reason to rush a matter such as this."
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He finishes looking around. "I don’t see anything, however… I’m still suspicious. We could be surprised at any time even if we’re as careful as possible. We ought to come up with some kind of cover story for being here."
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 3:16 PM
"Why would that be needed? The truth should be perfectly fine, no? Grace has gone missing, and we've begun looking for her. It may leave out a detail or two, but there is nothing suspicious about searching for a friend who has a history of disappearances."
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"But… Why would we know she’s missing?"
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 3:20 PM
"Perhaps we visited her home and did not receive a response to our knock on her door. A bit presumptuous to link that to a disappearance, but It is hardly more so than what we have done in reality, is it not?"
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"But we didn’t go to her home, did we? She doesn’t live alone. There’ll certainly be cameras in Wight's apartment building and if they become suspicious, it will be a dead giveaway."
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 3:40 PM
"Then we shall say it was merely a hunch. That her words in our latest 'therapy session' worried me. It would certainly make me appear as if I am paranoid, but it would not add any charges beyond the breaking and entering we shall already be participating in."
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"…True enough."
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 3:44 PM
"I disabled the security alarm the last time I was here. It may still be off, but it seems within our best interest to make sure of this." Carolyn cautiously approaches the house and makes her way to the fuse box.
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The fuse box is still disabled.
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 3:53 PM
She speaks to Ethfan "...You would not happen to have tools capable of picking a lock, would you? I was not anticipating having a need for such items when this day began."
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"I don’t, no."
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 3:55 PM
Carolyn checks the window she used to enter the house the last time she visited it.
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It’s closed.
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 4:05 PM
"I suppose a bit of force is necessary at times. Mr. Kerloe, if you would."
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"Me?"
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 4:07 PM
"You are a man, are you not? Certainly you would be better suited to forced entry."
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He sighs bitterly. "Are you really the misogynist type? I suppose it’s not too surprising for someone who’s built her life on doing what a man told her to do but… Well, I assumed you’d be too… Proud… For that sort of thing."
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 4:14 PM
"Of course not, I would not be a proper therapist were I to let discrimination cloud my judgement. Observations of the average difference in physical builds between sexes is an objective fact, if not a universal one to all examples."
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"Well, contrary to your objective discriminationless analysis, I’m certainly not stronger than you. You can blame my poor diet on that, if you wish."
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 4:42 PM
"Very well. I shall attempt to kick in the door rather than breaking open the window, to minimize noise. Though, that will certainly be loud enough that she may hear us entering, even if it does not alert neighbors. Do be ready."
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"Naturally." He takes out a knife and holds it behind his back subtly.
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 4:44 PM
Carolyn Blythe attempts to kick in Michelle's door.
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((Roll))
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 4:44 PM
((1))
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Carolyn doesn’t even make a dent, instead the force causes her to fall over onto her back.
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 4:55 PM
She just gets up without a word and makes another attempt.
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"Wow." ((Roll))
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 4:56 PM
((19))
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Carolyn kicks the door open.
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 5:02 PM
She enters the house and begins searching as quietly as she can, while listening for sounds elsewhere within the building.
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((Roll))
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 5:02 PM
((13))
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There’s no one here. They finish their search in Michelle’s room, where only a white tape outline remains of her. Ethfan looks over at it. "…A grim reminder of where we’re headed."
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 5:22 PM
Carolyn smiles as she stares at it "What a pessimistic outlook you hold. This representation of the state of her body upon death... it is rather ironic that the police would create an immortalization of that as well. Although, it is not nearly as permanent, nor as important as the immortalization of her that I created. If this is where we are headed, we're certainly on a path we can be satisfied with."
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"…There’s nothing there. The only thing preserved is a shell."
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 5:26 PM
"Yes, that is the case in this world. I'm merely speaking of what ideas the imagery evokes."
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"What is a person? A hypothetical concept or a real existence?"
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 5:30 PM
"I will be happy to discuss this with you, but we should begin on our way to another potential location that Grace may have chosen. Perhaps Mr. Brentwood's house."
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"Because your previous guess was so helpful?"
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 5:40 PM
"I make no claim to have a perfect understanding of Grace. A therapist must keep an open mind regarding their patient's thought process. We learn and adjust. A much better approach than waiting around for her to come to accept the truth of Michelle's murder, is it not?"
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"But what makes you think this next guess is any different? Simple stubbornness?"
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 5:49 PM
"Are you leading into suggesting an alternative? After all, it is you who holds a network of connections that could be joining the search for her."
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He sighs. "Suppose she really is at Grobber's house. Do you truly believe she’d be waiting for you then? Would she not be waiting for the house's owner?" (edited)
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 5:53 PM
"Of what importance is that? I hold no attachment to that theory. Our goal is to find and free her, nothing more."
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"For someone who immediately leapt to the possibility that Grace would have formed this obsession with you, you certainly seem insistent that you aren’t attached to it. Now, while someone might assume you’re simply a narcissist… Someone obsessed with the idea that someone would obsess over them… Simply an automatic assumption that on some base level all of this… Is about you. But perhaps it’s even more than that. Envy. Envy at everyone around you… Because no one likes you. No one will ever like you. You’re inhumanly sweet. Like some impossible psychopathic delusion of what kindness is. All you can ever do is scare people… And naturally, they’re all destined to die before you can before they can like you. So you’re left to pretend to yourself you know how a corpse feels… That they’d be grateful. And before anyone can prove the contrary, you kill them. No one can break the illusion if they’re dead, yes? And now… Everything you’ve ever wanted on a silver platter. Someone might like you. They have to. This aaaaaall has to be about you. But she doesn’t. She’s not here. What are you left with? Traumatized children who only pretend they idolize you to be able to sleep better at night? Me? Heh. Nothing but mere tools… We’ve abandoned the moral constraints of humanity long ago. The second all you have is us… You have no choice but to admit the same." Ethfan approaches her angrily throughout his rant. Naturally, the rant is completely false. None of that is accurate at all, it’s nothing but incoherent lies and hypocrisy. Because the truth is that while Ethfan Kerloe may be nothing but a piece in the villain role, she is not. Carolyn Blythe has no character flaws. He sighs. "Ugh, ignore that. I’m going to lose my mind, at this rate." He lets out a miserable laugh. "…Wouldn’t that be funny?"
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((@Carolyn Blythe just to make sure you did not forget))
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 8:12 PM
"I don't particularly see the humor in that situation, no. You should consider seeing a psychiatrist, I could refer you to one. There are prescription drugs that could assist with outbursts such as that. If you wish for me to ignore what you have said, I see no reason to not grant you that favor. I apologize for wasting your time with my assumption of where Grace would be. Now, would you like to assist me in deciding our next step?"
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He lets out another miserable laugh. "Of course. Why not?" His tone is clearly sarcastic. He returns to his usual tone afterwards. "But no, I’m afraid I have quite no need for psychiatry. Least of all when it concerns my safety at your hands."
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 8:50 PM
"Quite the shame, but I will respect your decision." Carolyn glances at the television in Michelle's room for a moment "Have you checked your phone recently? If Grace were to have simply arrived late while we were out searching, that would be valuable to stay informed of."
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He pulls out his phone. "…No. Her father’s home now, however. It’s possible he might react to her absence."
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 9:04 PM
"I strongly doubt he'll make any substantial moves. If he were to, it is possible he may have a better idea of where she would be than I do. After all, he has found her in the past. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, he truly showed no interest in playing any sort of active role in her life."
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"I don’t need you throwing her a pity party. Let’s just head to Grobber's house, consider that’s our last idea."
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 9:14 PM
"I would be happy to." Carolyn begins taking the route to Grobber's house.
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Ethfan follows. "At least we weren’t caught there."
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 9:23 PM
"You have my thanks for taking an optimistic view of the situation. That tends to lead to a much healthier lifestyle, even down to physiological effects, as studies have demonstrated."
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"…" He looks away. "Please just shut up."
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 9:28 PM
"...So you do not wish to return to being a fan of mine. That makes sense, it is hard to play off your outburst as anything other than honest emotions. It is quite refreshing to see you speaking candidly, Mr. Kerloe. I believe that's an excellent sign of progress."
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He stops walking laughs miserably. "Oh, I assure you… After everything, I undoubtedly remain your greatest fan in the world. That hasn’t changed in the slightest."
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 10:35 PM
"I am beginning to suspect you mean that in a more negative connotation than one would be led to believe from the words alone. Naturally, I don't mean to accuse you, but it is quite possible that someone whom there is no positive opinion of would need to consider the person with the least negative opinion to be their greatest fan."
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He laughs miserably. "No, of course not. You met Eryn, didn’t you? She has quite the positive opinion on you. That’s not what I-" 5 large cars suddenly pull around them, surrounding them on all sides. Unfamiliar people come out of the cars and aim guns at the 2 of them. Ethfan drops the knife and takes out his own gun.
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Carolyn Blythe 6/10/2023 10:42 PM
Carolyn tries to remain calm and raises her hands into the air "...Ethfan, I do rather suspect resistance will get you nowhere other than the next world. You are certainly too miserable for that to be advisable."
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"Thank you." Ethfan says sarcastically. "I hadn’t realized. "Well, well, well…" Jeff Johnner exits one of the cars and calmly approaches them. "Hey there. Fancy meeting you here, huh?" The skin on the right half of his face is now disfigured. "Just the person I was looking for." ((End session)) (edited)
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((No session this week))
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((You can have a session on Saturday if this isn’t too late notice))
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Carolyn Blythe 6/24/2023 12:22 AM
((Sure))
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"Well, well, well…" Jeff Johnner exits one of the cars and calmly approaches them. "Hey there. Fancy meeting you here, huh?" The skin on the right half of his face is now disfigured. "Just the person I was looking for."
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Carolyn Blythe 6/24/2023 2:37 PM
"Hello there, Mr. Johnner. I do not believe we had a proper introduction the last time we crossed paths, but I cannot imagine that is necessary. Regardless, I assure you that I pose no threat to your organization, I am sure that a conclusion all parties are satisfied with can be reached."
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"Heh… I know." Johnner shrugs. Ethfan stands in between them. "Are you really so scared of me that you brought so many people? Go ahead! I’ve made the necessary preparations to die at any moment! But don’t kill her. She can still be perfectly useful to you, she’s merely a bystander in this petty feud!"
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Carolyn Blythe 6/24/2023 2:48 PM
"How noble of you, Mr. Kerloe. Allowing yourself to exist in misery forever is quite the sacrifice. Though, as is obvious, I cannot approve."
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"Don’t you understand the basic principles of negotiation?" Ethfan.
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Carolyn Blythe 6/24/2023 2:56 PM
"My apologies, a therapist leads her clients to the healthiest solution. I spoke without thinking upon hearing your offer. I do not wish to get in your way. Please, continue."
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"Now he’s obviously not going to listen to me if he believes you won’t! Any advantage we have has been compromised!" Ethfan. "As much as I’d love to watch your little sitcom argument play out for eternity, I don’t particularly care. Not everything’s about you, Ethfan." Johnner. "What… Does that mean?" Ethfan.
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Carolyn Blythe 6/24/2023 3:06 PM
"...Are you implying that I am the one you have business with? I am afraid that I am unsure what I could have to offer you, but I am willing to hear out whatever problem you find requires my assistance." (edited)
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"…Gus Amon. You’re getting revenge on her for him, aren’t you? That won’t accomplish anything! The dead don’t return, no matter how much you may wish! What has been lost can never be found! Would you really waste such a useful tool to accomplish absolutely nothing? You may put up a ruthless front in public, but you aren’t stupid enough to do that, are you? This… This revenge is pointless! What would it bring you? Pride? Surely a sensible businessman like you could overlook that!" Ethfan.
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Carolyn Blythe 6/24/2023 6:31 PM
Carolyn watches this silently, with a curious look on her face. "Why is Ethfan fighting so hard to keep me safe? It is not like his protection of me is anything particularly new, he did fend off Mr. Niebel after all, but... After him blowing up at me, I thought we had finally begun making progress on approaching his true feelings. Surely giving a halfhearted defense of me would enough to not appear suspicious, while also removing someone he hates? After all, that is all I intended to do when the possibility of him sacrificing himself was presented. It may leave him in eternal misery, but it will remove him as an obstacle to the bliss of my other targets, a worthwhile sacrifice."
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Ethfan and Johnner stare at each other intensely for a moment, until Johnner bursts out laughing. "…What’s so funny? Why are you mocking me?" Ethfan. "Ethfan… I knew you were dumber than you realized, but this… I didn’t realize you were outright brainless." Johnner. "…Wh-What?" Ethfan. "While you were busy standing on the sidelines thinking so highly of yourself, I actually talked to Gus. I knew him personally. That’s why I know there’s no world where Carolyn would’ve killed him." Johnner.
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Carolyn Blythe 6/24/2023 6:41 PM
Carolyn nods "Thank you, Mr. Johnner. It would appear that you understand my code well. Mr. Amon was not only a miserable man, but one determined to stay that way. It is truly regrettable that I could not help him."
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"See? They were close. The kind of close where you don’t stab each other in the back." Johnner. "Are you out of your mind? Carolyn couldn’t have cared less about Gus, he was just a client to her! A pathetic and irreparably broken client! She killed him to protect herself. Who else could’ve killed him?" Ethfan. "…She tell you all of that yourself?" Johnner. "No, that’s- It’s- But it’s obvious!" Ethfan. "I’m getting really tired of you micromanaging a friendly discussion. Let her talk… Or maybe I will shoot you." Johnner.
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Carolyn Blythe 6/24/2023 7:01 PM
"There's no need for threats, although I do find myself agreeing with your request. Mr. Amon saw me as something akin to a daughter; I had no reason to kill him for protection, as it was impossible he would ever allow himself to lay a finger on me. Besides, I would have to be truly heartless to not be moved by his dedication to me."
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"See? Real simple when you get to the heart of the matter, Ethfan. But I doubt you have a heart, do you?” Johnner. "Are you going to tell me you seriously think he just killed himself, then?" Ethfan. "…No. Of course not. Dana Craig killed him." Johnner.
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Carolyn Blythe 6/24/2023 7:22 PM
Carolyn hesitates for a moment, but quickly casts her eyes downwards "Truly an unfortunate situation. I hope you bring her to justice. Mr. Amon deserves that much, at least."
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"We’re working on it." Johnner. "Are you both stupid?" Ethfan. "Weren’t you the one trying to save her just a second ago?" Johnner. "That’s- Well- Ghrk…" Ethfan moves behind Carolyn.
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Carolyn Blythe 6/24/2023 7:30 PM
"As much as my colleague has spoken out of line, I suspect you have come here for a reason of more importance than insulting him. I do not mean to rush you, but I do have other obligations to attend to."
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"No, you don’t. You’re gonna have to clear your schedule out for this morning. This isn’t negotiable." Johnner opens a car door. "Get inside."
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Carolyn Blythe 6/24/2023 7:40 PM
"...Very well. I am sure my client will manage with the delay." Carolyn gets inside the car.
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"Am I supposed to come too or am I just being abandoned? You can’t honestly expect me to willingly step into whatever death trap you’ve prepared." Ethfan. "I don’t care, Ethfan." Johnner. "…" Ethfan gets inside with Carolyn.
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Carolyn Blythe 6/24/2023 7:47 PM
"I appreciate the company, Mr. Kerloe. Now then, Mr. Johnner, would it be appropriate to inquire about where you shall be having us taken?"
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"…Ethfan wasn’t entirely wrong. This is about Gus." Johnner. "Oh great. Partial credit. This changes everything…" Ethfan scoffs.
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Carolyn Blythe 6/24/2023 8:06 PM
"I certainly wish to provide as much assistance with matters relating to Mr. Amon as I can. Thank you for coming to me. However, I cannot say this has explained everything. Did Mr. Amon have unfinished business that one who is close to him must provide help with?"
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"Are you that unfamiliar with the concept of a funeral?" Johnner. "As the one who knew him most, you’ll be delivering a eulogy. You won’t be the only one, but it’s an important one. One he deserves." "He’s a corpse. Some meaningless speech about how much he was loved won’t do anything for him. Is he supposed to hear it from the afterlife magically?" Ethfan. "What can I say? I’m a romanticist." Johnner.
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Carolyn Blythe 6/24/2023 8:19 PM
Carolyn nods "What a thoughtful gesture, you two must have been close. To be quite honest, I had not expected Mr. Amon to receive a ceremony such as this, but I would be more than happy to provide my perspective. Regardless of if we can do anything to reach him now, I would not wish for you, or anyone close to him, to be left unsatisfied with his closure."
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"This isn't about me." Johnner. "Of course it is. How isn't this about you? You brought an army to ask 2 people to visit a funeral? What, did those scratches to your face shatter your poor ego? You just needed to show off to us that bad? You're pathetic." Ethfan. "...Maybe." Johnner pauses. "But I do have to pick up some kids next who somehow got Eryn on their side, so I'll stick to precaution." "Ah, yes... It must be so hard to lose one of your members inexplicably. And I see you don't have Gordon with you either. Or EL. Or Marco- Oh wait, he's dead too, isn't he? I didn't get that invite, I'm afraid." Ethfan. "Does he ever stop talking?" Johnner tosses a lit cigarette at Ethfan.
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Carolyn Blythe 6/24/2023 10:04 PM
"I cannot say that it is a common event." She shakes her head for a moment, before moving her hand to her chin in thought "Those kids you mentioned must be Lelouch and Jade... Yes, I suppose it would make sense for them to have a presence at Mr. Amon's funeral."
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"That’s correct." Johnner nods. Ethfan whispers to her. "Don’t tell him about the spray."
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Carolyn Blythe 6/24/2023 10:10 PM
"I have reached a satisfactory understanding of the situation, thank you. Feel free to transport us at your leisure, I shall be preparing myself for delivering a eulogy for Mr. Amon." Carolyn fastens her seatbelt.
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Johnner starts driving. "I haven’t. You’ve given us no reason to believe we aren’t just walking directly into some trap. It’s going to take a lot more than this to make me trust you, especially after you started shooting at me last time!" Ethfan. "…You got in the car, didn’t you?" Johnner. "That isn’t proof of anything!" Ethfan. "It’s proof of what matters. That no matter how much you protest, you fold like paper in the end." Johnner looks out the window. "You, Carolyn… You ever consider joining us directly instead? Can’t imagine having to deal with this pretentious son of a bitch daily, and I live with a woman who roleplays as a psychopath for no clear reason."
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Carolyn Blythe 6/24/2023 11:16 PM
"The conditions of my workplace are of no concern to me. As long as I achieve what is best, I will be happy with the result. As far as I am aware, working with Ethfan is currently favorable for my ends, so I must decline. Although, if you have an offer of your own, I would be more than willing to hear you out."
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"Are you serious right now? You can’t possibly think he’s trustworthy at all." Ethfan. "He just never shuts up, does he? Always gotta have the last word." Johnner. "Yes, yes, I get it… It’s so annoying to you that someone would fail to trust you and counter your endless onslaught of repetitive insults but I didn’t shape myself for your tastes and you are a needlessly violent gangster holding us hostage for your meaningless death ceremony. Forgive me if I’ve struck a nerve while assessing the situation." Ethfan. "You know, this guy barely ever met your father. He never even officially joined Edlightenment. And now he’s being trusted as the leader." Johnner.
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((Saturday))
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"You know, this guy barely ever met your father. He never even officially joined Edlightenment. And now he’s being trusted as the leader." Johnner.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/1/2023 3:51 PM
"Yes, I do not recall seeing Mr. Kerloe around as I was growing up. It is certainly a strange situation, but I am not one to turn away new converts. All one needs to lead Edlightenment is an understanding of the truth of this world, and a desire to share it with others. That said, I would be interested in learning how these circumstances came about."
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"No. You wouldn’t." Ethfan snaps. "People may come to visit you to spill their guts out about every little triviality they wish to whine about, but I didn’t. I’m not here to third wheel a conversation about myself, because in no way am I the focus here. This is merely… Petty ramblings! It’s idiotic and petty and I refuse to be made the target of this! You cannot provoke me." Johnner opens his mouth for a moment, before thinking it over. "I’m bored of you too, don’t worry. Not gonna let you make this about you again." "Let me!? You- You’re the one who-" Ethfan. "So, Carolyn. Tell me about yourself." Johnner lit another cigarette.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/1/2023 6:10 PM
"I cannot say I am quite sure where to begin. You seem to know more about me than I do of you, Mr. Johnner. My history, at the very least, appears to be no mystery to you."
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"Gus told me." Johnner. "Oh, as if that man could provide an accurate summary of anythi-" Ethfan. Johnner throws another lit cigarette at him. "Stop interrupting."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/1/2023 6:18 PM
"I see. I am afraid there is not much more to discuss in that case. I learned from my father how to help people, and have been using my job as a therapist to guide others to happiness. It was a life I was content with."
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"Simple life, huh? Sounds refreshing." Johnner.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/1/2023 6:49 PM
"Yes, the less I have to worry about, the more time I am capable of dedicating to others. This past week has been quite hectic for me, and as a result, my efficiency for producing happiness has gone down. I hope to settle back into a routine eventually."
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"You ever heard about the city mouse and the country mouse?" Johnner.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/1/2023 6:57 PM
"Indeed I have."
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"I think about that debate a lot." Johnner. "Oh, sure you do." Ethfan says sarcastically. Johnner ignores him and continues. "See... The way most people tell it, you're supposed to think the country mouse is better. Safety and freedom and all that... But if you ask me, if you're not trying hard to do what you care about, you're not really alive. I read about those things your dad used to say... The whole eternal feeling afterlife and all that. It's kinda like the country mouse, right? I say, if you can't handle the hectic city life... You oughta retire to the country."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/1/2023 9:08 PM
Carolyn smiles and gives a slow shake of her head "Your logic is a tad flawed. That is, from my perspective, at least. The life of the country mouse that you seem to wish for me to escape to... Well, it is something that can only be found in the city. If I were to choose to retire voluntarily, I would have nothing to preserve other than guilt and regret for all the lives I was unable to save."
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"Need to get all of them, huh...? Personally, I can't say I really believe in the whole cult thing too much. But let's say I was rooting for you... You really think you could ever get enough to die happy?" Johnner.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/1/2023 9:18 PM
"At one point I may have answered no to that. No matter how hard I try, it is quite obvious that all of humanity would be a ridiculous goal. And yet, placing the goal post closer would be quite arbitrary, something to just make myself feel better. Thankfully, things are different now. Edlightenment is still alive, and I am sure that if it survived the poisoning, it will continue to thrive and grow. All I must do is the same as every other member: as much as I can. As long as I never stop trying, I am sure I will be happy in death."
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"As welcome as you are for us gathering all those kids back up, allow me to impart some wisdom on you. Everything ends. That's something I've learned many times over. Anything you love, anything you care for... You're gonna lose it. I know you get that too, in a sense... The whole cutting it off before they're ruined shtick and all that. But the same goes for Edlightenment. It's not immortal. Especially led by that guy, I wouldn't be surprised if you outlived it." Johnner. "Oh because, you're such a better leader than me. I ask again, where any of you actually capable followers?" Ethfan. Johnner throws a cigarette at him. "That one wasn't even lit!" Ethfan.
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((Saturday))
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 2:00 PM
"I would not so readily compare our perspectives, Mr. Johnner. Happiness is fragile. It's much like our lives, you only have a limited time to end it correctly. Ideas, on the hand, persist far past the one they're born with. It does not matter if the form changes; I care not if Edlightenment stays an organized religion, or becomes a myth passed on person to person. Even if it were to be fully snuffed out, it could simply reappear. My father was enlightened, but no god. Another could reach the same realizations as him."
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"…Heh. For your beliefs, you’re strangely optimistic. But I guess that’s an oversimplification, isn’t it? You’re just one of those people who focus on the bigger picture." Johnner. Ethfan facepalms.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 2:27 PM
"Indeed. Many find it so easy to get caught up in the trivialities of daily life, when it is so much more efficient to work on a grander scale. Of course, for my purposes, selfishness being the most common way of thinking is quite useful. It is difficult to cheer up one who is bearing the weight of the world on their shoulders."
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"…" Johnner doesn’t respond, but instead stops the car in front of a funeral parlour. "We’re here." "Finally." Ethfan hopped out.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 2:30 PM
Carolyn exits the car without a word.
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"Don’t go anywhere." Johnner. "Yes, yes, we get it already." Ethfan slams the door shut.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 2:34 PM
"Do not worry. I recognize that Mr. Amon deserves for this service to run smoothly, and I am committed to playing my part in that."
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Johnner drives away. "Well, at the very least that’s done with. Insufferable prick." Ethfan dusts himself off angrily.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 2:37 PM
"He was rather pleasant when speaking towards me. I do not condone his use of cigarettes on either himself or you, but the latter could have been easily avoided if you took a more... polite approach."
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"I’m fairly certain he wants to die from those. I wouldn’t call it an oversight on his end." Ethfan walks into the graveyard.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 2:43 PM
Carolyn trails after Ethfan.
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There are a bunch of fancily dressed people Carolyn does not recognize. "Do not mingle with anyone you haven’t met before. The last thing you want is more criminals with your business card." Ethfan.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 2:55 PM
"I will be delivering a eulogy, my presence shall be known regardless of what actions I take prior. I see no downside to making positive connections through socialization. It could assist in maneuvering the resolution of misunderstandings in the future."
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"Are you trying to join the mob? You’re an ideologue, not an organized criminal." Ethfan.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 3:14 PM
"Having allies could assist in my efforts by quite a large amount. I am not blind to the possible consequences, but... what is the point of holding an ideology if one does not try their best to achieve its goals?"
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He groans, but does not answer.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 3:24 PM
She examines the crowd before continuing to speak to Ethfan "You are more acquainted with this business than I ever have been. Do you find any of these faces familiar?"
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"Loosely. None of them are really worth my attention, however. I’ve simply run into far too many lunatics to be impressed by these dollar store criminals."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 3:40 PM
"How kind of you to still focus your attention on me regardless of that." Carolyn picks a random person in the crowd to approach "Hello there, it is a pleasure to meet you. I assume you knew the deceased?"
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"I did." They nod. Ethfan groans and walks elsewhere.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 4:24 PM
"Quite the unfortunate passing. Were you close?"
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"Not particularly, we were just… coworkers. But I respect the man. You?"
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 4:49 PM
"I suppose you could say that he was... my caretaker, in a manner of speaking."
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They pause, looking at Carolyn with shock. "…That’s not at all what I thought you’d look like."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 4:54 PM
Carolyn cocks her head to the side with a confused expression "I'm not sure I follow. Did Mr. Amon set some sort of preconceptions of what my appearance would be?"
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"Well… You don’t exactly dress yourself like a very important person."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 5:07 PM
"I am not one to present myself in a deceiving manner. Though I may have been important to Mr. Amon, I hold no position of importance to any sort of power structure. I am but an ordinary citizen."
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"I just didn't think you were the humble type either, Lelouch."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 5:17 PM
"I see. I suppose that is an understandable misunderstanding. From what I know, Mr. Amon played a much more active role in the life of Lelouch Maoziwam. Forgive me for getting ahead of myself, it was rude to not lead with an introduction. I am Carolyn Blythe."
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"Oh. The assassin?"
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 5:24 PM
"I would describe myself as a therapist, but I do believe you have the right person in mind, yes. I did not realize my role would be open knowledge here... I essentially only communicated with this organization through Mr. Amon, you see."
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"They let him handle that? I thought he was just spying on Maoziwam."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 6:10 PM
"Yes, well, everyone has sides you would not expect." Carolyn looks away for a moment before returning her gaze to them "Regardless, due to the circumstances of my... employment, I cannot say I am particularly familiar with the structure of this organization. I wish to honor the memory of Mr. Amon by continuing my work, but I am afraid I am unsure who I would need to contact to get further involved with these operations."
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"I assumed Johnner himself would run that. If not him, maybe FB?"
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 6:27 PM
"...I see. Thank you... that was very helpful." Carolyn quickly leaves, needing a moment to collect her thoughts. "FB... There is no guarantee that it is the same man I met all those years ago, but... I should have asked how to get into contact with him. Why did I not ask that? I could go back right now... No, that would be suspicious, I already ended the conversation. I could ask Johnner, but... Why am I making excuses? Am I afraid? No, that doesn't make sense. There are two possibilities here, the first being that it is not the same person that I met. This would change nothing regarding my capability to save my targets. Though, it being the same person should not change that either. Yes, there will be no problems with asking Johnner, this can only help me. I will do that when I see him next."
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There's a commotion from the entrance to the graveyard.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 6:36 PM
Carolyn automatically begins the process of moving towards the commotion but stops herself before taking a step "...Although I disagree with Ethfan's stance that I should stay entirely uninvolved... those gathered here are still dangerous. Not to mention I am unfamiliar with a majority of them, so it is doubtful I could do much to assist. I do not want to recklessly endanger myself, and by extension, my targets. Though, if it involves Ethfan or Lelouch... I may need to step in. I suppose I should gather information before making an informed decision." Carolyn approaches enough to attempt to get an idea of what is happening and see if she recognizes anyone involved.
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Howard Scott has arrived at the funeral. The gangsters are clearly alarmed by this fact.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 6:54 PM
"Of course, those involved with the mob are not the only potential risk to my safety. Is he here to finish his botched 'execution' a few days ago...? No, there would be plenty more strategically sound moments to target me. Then... Yes, of course, this is the funeral of his former partner. If he is allowed to stay, then he will be made aware of my presence no matter what. That is not ideal, but I cannot imagine he would attempt anything in this setting. As long as I do not allow him to tail me afterwards, I should be safe. Still, I would prefer to avoid the hassle if he is turned away. I see no benefit to making myself known, I have no more solid evidence of my innocence than I did the last time I met him." Carolyn distances herself from the entrance.
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"Hey, Carolyn." He walks directly towards her as she tries to leave, with a smug yet resigned grin. "Funny running into you here, isn't it?"
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 7:04 PM
Carolyn forces herself to hold back from displaying any expression of annoyance, and turns to Howard with a smile "Hello there, Detective Scott. I cannot say I expected myself to be present here, either. The invitation process was not particularly formal, to say the least."
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"Right. Not often they invite the killer to her victim's funeral, is it?"
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 7:08 PM
"I am afraid that, from my perspective, that question is a non sequitur. Unfortunately, I do not expect to convince you of my innocence, and I don't imagine you expect me to produce a confession for you."
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"...Right. Of course not. I'm not so stupid as to not realize that if I tried to take you in right here, I'd get killed 10 times over by your associates. Today... Is purely personal."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 7:16 PM
"I am happy to hear that our differences can be put aside for the moment. I hope you enjoy the service. Well, I suppose enjoy would be the wrong word in this case... My apologies, I am not used to dwelling on unhappy deaths."
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"Of course. Usually you stroll up to the funeral dressed like a party clown."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 7:53 PM
"It is good that you can have a sense of humor about my mistake. Is that a strategy you often use to cope with loss? It can certainly make the events easier to process, removing yourself from ruminating in a spiral of negative thoughts. A momentary perspective reset, if you will."
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He chuckles. "Real cocky, huh? Trying to get into my head. Sorry, but I’ve got far more self-awareness than you give me credit for. I simply choose to not care. Everything we are boils down to a bunch of chemicals and electric signals, biological machines designed to work in our own favour as long as we can. I’ve simply gotta choose when to give a shit. Simple as that."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/15/2023 8:16 PM
"Would you be interested in explaining how showing up to this funeral is you working in your own favor? To me, this would appear to be a risk with no tangible benefit. Why would you choose to care about this?"
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"I work in mysterious ways." Howard walks over to the open grave, pulls out a crumpled bouquet from his pocket, and drops it inside. Then he walks back to Carolyn. "But if you must ask, I didn’t come here to pay my respects to a criminal. Certainly not one who’d look down at this whole farce and find it a massive stupid waste of time. You really think Gus’d want this whole shitshow? You could’ve dropped him in a river in a barrel weighed down with rocks and he couldn’t have given more of a shit. Simply not his style. No, I’m here because I simply couldn’t resist the guest list."
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((Saturday))
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Carolyn Blythe 7/22/2023 2:04 PM
"Yes, I believe your assessment of Mr. Amon's tastes is more or less accurate. Unfortunately, I am less informed on this guest list you claim to be motivated by. You see, I was not exactly aware of these funeral arrangements before I was... picked up earlier today. You would not be so kind as to inform me what I should expect, would you?"
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"I meant you, Carolyn Blythe. You’re a sentimental bitch, aren’t you? Always gotta worry about what’s beyond."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/22/2023 2:13 PM
"I see. It is quite an honor for you to go out of your way simply to meet me again, Detective Scott. I do hope this meeting has been satisfactory."
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"…You could say that." Howard places his hand on his gun holster. Several other mobsters do the same at this sight.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/22/2023 2:21 PM
Carolyn flinches but does her best to remain stoic at the sight "Is this an attempt to produce a reaction? There are much healthier ways to deal with frustrations than acting out for attention."
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He laughs mockingly. "Do I look like the kind of guy who’d tell jokes to you?"
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Carolyn Blythe 7/22/2023 2:27 PM
"I make attempts to not make judgments based on superficial elements. I am sure you can imagine the discomfort that clients may feel as a response to such assumptions. Regardless, your threat has very low credibility, due to factors that you have acknowledged."
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"Oh yeah, have I?" He pretentiously pretends to listen.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/22/2023 2:40 PM
"...Am I to assume you do not wish to further our conversation in any real manner, then? Your current actions do not appear conducive to the environment of this funeral. There are many here to grieve, so perhaps it would be best if you did not make a further disturbance."
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Howard pulls out his gun and shoots Carolyn in the head, killing her instantly. "That was for Gus." Or at least, that’s how it plays out in his head. Carolyn can vividly see him act it out in his mind. Instead, he just turns around and starts to walk away like a coward. "I’m not the type to crash a funeral with murder, but… I’m coming for you, Carolyn Blythe. I’m gonna topple this whole empire and crash it down on you til you suffocate. …Have fun."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/22/2023 2:53 PM
"I hope that pursuit brings you happiness, Detective." Carolyn watches him walk away with a smile.
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"You would like that, wouldn’t you?" He pauses and turns back around to her. "Then I guess I’ve gotta do this the old fashioned way. Mutual agony and pain 'til the end. Heh." Comparing myself to her's already got that train rolling. He leaves.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/22/2023 3:23 PM
"It is quite obvious why the two of them were close, I suppose. It is a shame their personalities are especially conducive to unhappy endings, though. The effort I would have to expend to give Howard his happy ending could be more efficiently spent elsewhere, and without my help, it is clear he will self destruct eventually. I do not believe there would be any harm in quickening the pace of that fate... Yes, I shall begin making preparations shortly." Carolyn finishes this thought as she watches Howard leave.
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"What a lunatic." Ethfan approaches.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/22/2023 3:29 PM
"How difficult would it be to remove him as a threat to our operations? I assume there must be some roadblock, no? He is quite openly antagonistic of this city's criminal underworld, and thus, were he a normal officer, I would expect him to have been dealt with by now."
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"If you have the money, you can get away with just about anything in front of the cops. The only exception… Is cop killing. They’re far too prideful when it comes to their job. No one likes him, but they’d die for him regardless. That’s the benefit of being a police officer. Your funeral party will be quite loud" He shrugs. "If we killed him, it’d mean war. Even if we won, we’d lost far more than we’d gain."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/22/2023 3:45 PM
After finishing listening, Carolyn glances through the crowd, before returning her eyes to Ethfan "And would these be true losses, or simply gains that appear that way to an unenlightened mind? As long as soldiers are drafted carefully, we could avoid any unhappy endings being made eternal over the course of the war."
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Ethfan momentarily gives Carolyn a look of profound horror, before returning to his usual expression. "And how exactly would that work? It’s not like we can pick for the enemy."
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((Hi?))
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Carolyn Blythe 7/22/2023 4:54 PM
"Dying in action to protect their own pride sounds like a cop's dream, if you ask me. We simply need to avoid lethality against the exceptions. Cripple them and take them out of commission. It would be doing them a favor to take them out of a line of work that does not bring them happiness, don't you think?"
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"Unfortunately, this isn’t a video game. You can’t just expect an army of trigger-happy cops and mobsters to fight each other so surgically."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/22/2023 5:04 PM
"Yes, I suppose that is a tad optimistic. It is all in the theoretical, though. There is no harm in speculating on a best case scenario, as long as we only act on realistic expectations."
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"…Right."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/22/2023 5:15 PM
"So let's do just that. If what you are telling me is true, then it would be impossible for us to control the circumstances under which any policeman died, no? Well, aside from our initial target, of course. If we leave them alone, then nature will simply take its course. If we go to war, then their fate is left to the hands of an unpredictable battle. There is hardly a difference in quality between the two approaches."
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"Hardly a- What are you talking about? There is quite certainly a large amount of difference between many deaths right now- unhappy deaths- at our hands and deaths at an unknowable time! It’s a matter of responsibility! And- And not to mention, do you really believe these people wouldn’t simply throw you under the bus? That they consider you worth that war?"
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Johnner's car returns.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/22/2023 5:46 PM
"Responsibility for... what, exactly? We have discussed my stance as a utilitarian previously, and the actual outcome is the same for either option. As for whether I'm worth the war, of course I'm not. I have no delusions of importance. I have avoided provable culpability in crimes for years now, framing someone else for- Ah. Perhaps we should continue this conversation later."
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Lelouch and Johnner step out of the car.
5:57 PM
Lelouch walks into the graveyard.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/22/2023 5:58 PM
Carolyn Blythe prepares herself with a smile and approaches Lelouch.
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((Channel switch))
5:59 PM
"Don’t do anything stupid." Ethfan whispers.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / lelouch-maoziwam
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Lelouch wakes up and finds that Jade has already made her some cereal.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 2:48 PM
YES IM ALIVE HI HELLO SORRY)
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 2:57 PM
Lelouch stretches, before looking towards Jade. "You're up early." She chuckles. "Made some breakfast?" She gets out of the bed, making her way to Jade. "Which box did you choose? Premium Cornflakes Beet Sugar and Syrup, Honey Bunches of Oats? Or a classic, like Quakers or General Mills?"
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"I needed to make up for yesterday." She smiled, and handed Lelouch a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 3:18 PM
Lelouch looks at the bowl of cereal, her smile softening. "You know, you didn't need to do this." She takes a bite out of the Honey Bunches.
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"Of course I did. You're the only thing that matters to me, Ms Lelouch."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 3:46 PM
(FRYCJK()
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 4:02 PM
"Awe...thanks, Jade." Lelouch says, a kind tone in her voiced. "So, do you remember what's on the agenda today?" (edited)
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"Of course! We have to find Jeff Johnner and spray him."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 4:24 PM
"Mhm! Did you make yourself a bowl?"She inquires, eating away with a smile.
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Jade pours herself a bowl. "I have now."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 5:02 PM
"Ah, good!" Lelouch enjoys a nice breakfast with her girl gf.
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"Do you think Shawn will find her?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 5:21 PM
"Hm." She swallos her ceral. "Let me check."
5:22 PM
She quickly reads the latest text. "He says he's gotten a guy to look for her? Way to shuck responsibility." She says, before typing. (edited)
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / lelouch-and-shawn
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 3:11 PM
I got a guy to look for Maria for me, he should have the info shortly
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 5:23 PM
You let a stranger look for Maria????
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Shawn Duveldt 7/1/2023 5:25 PM
I let a stranger get info on Maria. I’ll do the search mhself
5:26 PM
they’re not a stranger btw. They’re a friend with connections
5:26 PM
How’s Jade?
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 5:27 PM
Lazy.
5:27 PM
Jade's recovery went great, actually.
5:27 PM
We're just enjoying morning cereal.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/1/2023 5:28 PM
That’s good. Or, bad actually, since we’re enemies and all. Or whatever idk. Glad she’s ok
5:28 PM
I’ve got Maria handled, don’t worry about it
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 5:28 PM
So you know where she is?
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Shawn Duveldt 7/1/2023 5:29 PM
Still working on it. Will update when there’s updates
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 5:31 PM
Good.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/1/2023 5:32 PM
Has Jade been discharged from the hospital yet?
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 5:37 PM
Read.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / lelouch-maoziwam
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 5:26 PM
"Correction. Gotten a guy to get information on her."
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"Ugh, men are so lazy."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 5:33 PM
Lelouch finishes her bowl, wiping away residual milk from her face. "Right, let's get Eryn here."
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"Should we tell her to meet us outside?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 5:39 PM
"Yeah, I think so. I'll text her now." Lelouch quickly texts Eryn to meet them outside.
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Eryn agrees.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 5:55 PM
And now, we wait.
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They are, in fact, still in Lelouch's apartment. They wouldn't know if she arrived.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 6:01 PM
JIORGFJJOFGBM)
6:01 PM
Lelouch leaves with Jade, heading to the elevator.
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As they pass by the dining room, they spot Shuichi Maoziwam passed out at the table. In front of him are 2 empty bottles of wine. Carmen and Josh Maoziwam's places haven't been maintained, and there's even wine spilling onto Lelouch's mother's chair.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 6:21 PM
Lelouch rolls her eyes at the sight. "Men."
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Jade lifts up the spilled bottle and smells it. "Ew."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 6:28 PM
"How can he act like he cares about the past so much when he lets this happen?" Lelouch shakes her head, looking at the sight before them.
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"Has he really fallen this far? It's so pathetic, I almost pity him."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 6:34 PM
Lelouch looks condescendingly at Shuichi, debating on whether to wake him or not.
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"Should we carry him to his bed like a child? That way, we don't have to bother pitying him... But we also don't have to treat him with respect, either."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 6:45 PM
She shrugs. "Sure. Which side do you want to take?"
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"Is there a difference?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 7:54 PM
OH FUCK I FORGOT)
7:58 PM
Lelouch pauses, before nodding. "Yeah, you're right." (I've never carried someone how do you do it)
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Jade lifted up his legs, and waited for Lelouch to lift up his torso.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 8:00 PM
Lelouch does just that
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She carries him into his bedroom and dumps him on the bed. Shuichi’s bedroom is strangely devoid of much decoration. It’s quite large, but the only furniture inside is a large double bed and a nightstand next to it. On the nightstand is a framed picture of the entire Maoziwam family together looking happy at the Avengard museum of arts. You can clearly remember that Shuichi had been actively dismissive of the place before they went. He’s always been against things that existed outside of material reality, he finds them meaningless. But he’d still ended up enjoying himself there because the rest of you were there. This memory does not mark any particularly special event in your life. There are a few more pictures to the side. There’s also a door Lelouch has never seen before at the opposite end of the room.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 8:46 PM
Lelouch eyes the door, curiously. "Hm. What do you think's behind that door?"
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"I could check?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/1/2023 8:54 PM
She pauses, checking her phone to check if Eryn's made any indication she's outside.
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Nothing yet.
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((Saturday))
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Nothing yet.
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(( @Lelouch Maoziwam ))
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/8/2023 5:08 PM
((Thanks bestie))
5:11 PM
"Hm..." She looks back up to the door. "Jade," She says, before looking at her girlfriend and walking towards her, "if anyone texts or calls, give me a yell, and stay by the door in case I need help." She hands Jade the phone. "I want to see what's behind it. This might be the only chance I ever have to check it out, and Eryn's not said she's outside, so we've time to kill."
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"Alright." She nods.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/8/2023 5:15 PM
Lelouch smiles, before turning and walking towards the door. She tries the handle, to see if it'll actually open.
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It opens. On the other side is another bedroom, filled with your mother's things. And in the center of the room is a separate bed, only big enough for 1 person.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/8/2023 5:19 PM
"A..." Lelouch pauses for a moment. "Oh." She glances around. Anything of interest?
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Not particularly. "What’s in there?" Jade.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/8/2023 5:22 PM
"...Just some stuff. Nothing of importance." Lelouch turns and walks out the room. "C'mon, we've got to meet Eryn." She states, heading towards the exit from Shuichi's room.
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"Lelouch..." Shuichi, half-awake, laughs slightly. "You moved me to my room. Hehehe... Now that is certainly funny."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/8/2023 5:35 PM
Lelouch looks at Shuichi, with narrowed eyes. "...Mhm. Yea, sure is." She half-heartedly speaks, turning away. "C'mon, Jade. Better we be there to meet her than she wait, right?"
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"You opened the door, right? You always were so curious... It's obvious you'd understand." Shuichi sat up, and looked at her. "Just as I understand you. You know... I could fix you at any moment. You may not understand, but the power is in my hands. As it always has been. I just have to love you. Just to say it to you even once... That would be enough to make you happy again. To make you accept this world and move on. But I will die someday, and you'll return to the same state. Not giving you a crutch, though you may not see it... Is truly an act of kindness. And besides... You simply haven't earned it. Once again, we're both the same... Never receiving the love we need." Jade shuts the door on Shuichi. "She's here."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/8/2023 5:47 PM
Lelouch lets out a big sigh, on she held onto during Shuichi's daily monologue. "Right. Better hurry and not leave a lady waiting." She nods, walking towards and entering the elevator.
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Jade gets in the elevator. "He's such an idiot. Why would you need anyone's love, when you already have me?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/8/2023 6:00 PM
"Exactly! And how can he talk about love when he and his wife slept in separate beds?" She presses the ground floor button. "Hypocrisy at its finest."
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"He must not even know what it feels like to be loved."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/8/2023 6:03 PM
Lelouch nods in agreement.
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Jade kisses Lelouch.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/8/2023 6:06 PM
"Ah-" Lelouch smiles. "Thank you, cutie."
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"No problem!" The elevator arrives. ((End session sorry))
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/8/2023 6:09 PM
((would the session have ended here if i was awake at 7.)
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((Yes))
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/8/2023 6:10 PM
(oh ok)
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((Tragically))
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((Not sure if you’ll have a session, depends on other progress but if you do it’ll be on Saturday))
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/11/2023 9:02 AM
((i am busy today till late saturday i definitely will not be able to finish backreading in this time)) (edited)
Lelouch Maoziwam started a thread. 7/11/2023 9:04 AM
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((Saturday))
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The elevator arrives.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 3:34 PM
"Ladies first," Lelouch smiles, gesturing for Jade to leave first.
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Jade walks to the door and gestures back the same way.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 3:47 PM
Lelouch does indeed go first. "So, are you excited to take down Jeff Johnner?"
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"Yeah, sounds great." Jeff Johnner is standing right there, just out of sight from the door. Eryn is unconscious on the ground next to him. Dozens of mobsters surround them. "Ms. Lelouch!" Jade
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 3:53 PM
"Goddammit," Lelouch huffs, stepping in front of Jade and holding out her arm in a protective manner. "Do you have the spray? Maybe we can spritz some of these guys, get them on our side?"
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"Mmph-!" Jade tries to scream something from behind Lelouch. Johnner observes smugly.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 3:58 PM
"Jade?!" Lelouch turns to face her girlfriend.
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Mobsters somehow caught her from behind. A rag is pressed up against her face, and she’s unconscious. One of them points a gun at her head. "Do I have your attention?" Johnner.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 4:10 PM
Lelouch turns back around, now facing Johnner. There's a clear fire in her eyes, but with Jade's life on the line, she simply glares. "Yes, you've got my attention."
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"Then follow me." He walks to a car.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 4:16 PM
Lelouch reluctantly does so.
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Johnner gets in the car.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 4:27 PM
Lelouch does the same. "So...what did you want my attention for, anyway?"
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A mobster sits next to her and keeps a gun pointed at her head. Johnner starts driving. "…4 days ago, the world lost someone very important. Gus Amon."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 4:47 PM
"...Yeah." A flicker of sadness appears on Lelouch's face, quickly replaced by stoicness. "What about him?"
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"We’re going to his funeral." He turns around to look at her. "And you’re giving a eulogy."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 4:51 PM
"..." Lelouch pauses. "Why?"
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"Because… If you don’t do it, we’re gonna put a bullet in your girlfriend’s head. If you listen, you’ll have her back by then end of the day."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 4:53 PM
"...Fine, but that wasn't the answer I was looking for. Why am I giving a eulogy, why not someone else, not why should I do it." (edited)
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"You’ll be one of 3 going. The 2 people Gus cared about most in the world… And me."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 4:59 PM
"...Who's the other person?"
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"…You really can’t guess?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 5:07 PM
(no 😭) (edited)
5:09 PM
Lelouch sighs "No, I can't. So, who is it?"
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"You’re not very fun, y’know?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 5:17 PM
"I'm not fun when someone's got a gun to my head."
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"I’d say I’ve got my best comebacks then, personally."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 5:22 PM
"I think you'd have better comebacks with a bullet through your head, personally."
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"See? That’s the spirit."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 5:27 PM
Lelouch was silent for a moment. "Is it open-casket, or closed?" (edited)
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"…Closed."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 5:28 PM
"Good." Lelouch nods to herself, glancing towards the person with a gun to her head. "You know I'm harmless, right? You knocked out the two people who could do the most damage, there's no need to have someone here."
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"2 people?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 5:32 PM
"Jade and Eryn."
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"She’s not one of your people. I don’t appreciate thieves."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 5:43 PM
"I don't appreciate you putting a gun to my girlfriend's head, but sometimes things happen that we just don't like."
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"…Touché. But you struck first." Johnner stopped the car in front of a funeral parlour. Many mobsters are hanging around the graveyard.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 5:45 PM
Lelouch looks out the window. No opportunity to run away, and even if she could there was a gun to her head. "Hm. Seems gloomy."
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"Go. Now." Johnner.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 5:47 PM
"Fine, fine." Lelouch steps out of the car.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 5:55 PM
Lelouch slowly heads towards the funeral parlour. She gulps down her fear and takes a breathe of fresh, graveyard air.
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((Do you mean the graveyard or the building))
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 5:56 PM
(the graveyard)
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Carolyn Blythe and the man in the white suit who shot at her when she met Hav are both there. Lelouch does not recognize anyone else.
5:59 PM
Carolyn smiles and approaches her. ((Channel switch))
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Advehnt Guard
Avengard / carolyn-and-lelouch
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((Hi))
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Carolyn Blythe 7/22/2023 6:01 PM
"Hello there, Ms. Maoziwam. I apologize that it has taken so long for the two of us to get back in contact. Have you been alright? Our last meeting ended in quite the worrisome manner."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 6:17 PM
"Ah, Ms. Blythe. Please, there's no need to apologise." Lelouch extends a hand, expecting the two to shake, before continuing. "I've been quite well, myself. And you?"
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Carolyn Blythe 7/22/2023 6:22 PM
Carolyn accepts the handshake "I can hardly complain. Life has had its ups and downs, as always, but my patients have been making rather delightful progress. I do not mean to make this about myself, though. This is a moment of mourning, and you were rather close with Mr. Amon, were you not?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 6:24 PM
Lelouch took a deep breath. "Yes, yes I was, with him being an employee of my family. I assume you're giving a euology?"
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Carolyn Blythe 7/22/2023 6:27 PM
"That is correct. I do hope I am capable of honoring his memory to a satisfactory degree. I would not want to disappoint anyone here..." She looks around for a moment "Are your friends not with you?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 6:40 PM
"I was brought here against my will. I didn't even know the funeral was happening today." Lelouch clears her throat.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/22/2023 6:42 PM
"Yes, that does seem to be Mr. Johnner's approach to invitations. He allowed me a guest, though I suppose that is because I was already with him. Regardless, I am sorry that that happened to you, you deserve better treatment."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 7:04 PM
"I suppose." Lelouch just nods, maintaining a stoic expression. "We should...get on with the funeral, shouldn't we?"
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Carolyn Blythe 7/22/2023 7:06 PM
"...Very well. Remember, if there is anything you need to communicate to me, you know how." Carolyn adjusts her glasses.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/22/2023 7:26 PM
"I know." Lelouch nods, before entering the parlour.
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((End session because Shoko is leaving))
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There are just some employees in the parlour.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 2:06 PM
"..." There's an unwavering silence from Lelouch as she enters the parlour. You'd think she'd be a little more talkative considering whose funeral this is.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 2:09 PM
Carolyn follows Lelouch "So, if your friends are not with you at the moment, do you know where they are? After all, the four of us were attacked a few days ago, and I have not ran into either Jade nor Maria since then. I do hope they're safe."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 2:12 PM
HPODLDO) (edited)
2:12 PM
HOLD ON BESTRIE I FORGOT EVENTS 😭)
2:15 PM
"Jade's been knocked out, Maria is," Lelouch pauses, before resuming, "somewhere. She's getting saved by a man and not a woman which is a detriment as always, but you win some, you lose some." She grumbles. Lelouch maintains her pace and expression as she asks, "You were arrested by the police or something, right?"
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 2:21 PM
"That is a shame to hear about Maria, but I hope this man succeeds nonetheless. I would appreciate it if you let me know when and if Maria is safe. You have my Twitter address, as always." Carolyn pauses for a few seconds to collect her thoughts "Forgive me if I am being invasive, but are you feeling alright, Ms. Maoziwam? You were the one who rescued me from my false arrest, after all."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 2:39 PM
"I'm feeling fine, just..do you know how Gus' turned up n your apartment, by any chance?" Lelouch glances to Carolyn, before looking back to the floor she's walking on.
2:40 PM
(Sorry i was backreading 😭)
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 2:42 PM
"...How much do you know about Mr. Amon's... involvement with those present at this funeral? As I understand it, you were somewhat protected from learning of that side of him, no?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 2:51 PM
"I'd say I know surface-level, but by your question I gather it has something to do with them." Lelouch looks at Carolyn, this time maintaining eye contact.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 2:55 PM
"I would like to preface this with assurance that I am not speaking ill of the dead, as Mr. Amon had his reasons. To answer your question, though, I was being blackmailed by Mr. Amon into assisting with the activities of the mafia. He was waiting in my apartment for our next instructions from the higher-ups when he made the decision to end his own life."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 3:02 PM
She lets out a small 'hmph'. "Unsurprisng. Another man using underhanded techniques to get his way." Lelouch pauses, thinking. Suddenly, topic change. "So, what are you thinking of saying? During your eulogy?"
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 3:07 PM
Carolyn takes a bit too unnaturally long to respond, finally answering with a light laugh "How odd, I must admit I had not considered that. I suppose there is nothing to do other than speak honestly, wouldn't you agree?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 3:08 PM
"If I spoke honestly, I'd get kicked out." She says, candidly.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 3:13 PM
"I see... how unfortunate. Most do not get lasting pleasure out of the act of lying; doing so can build pressure to maintain the illusion, or remove the possibility of the liar feeling seen. With that said, it is certainly required to prevent worse hardships in certain scenarios. Such is one of the limitations of this world." Carolyn shakes her head "I am getting sidetracked. You should be fine as long as you praise Mr. Amon, that is all it seems Mr. Johnner desires out of this service."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 3:18 PM
"I see..." Lelouch grumbles. Can they sit down now? I don't know how long they've been walking but I assume there are like...chairs they can sit at?
3:21 PM
@Ehn/PC)]
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There are indeed chairs.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 3:23 PM
Lelouch sits.
3:25 PM
"When do you think he's going to call us up?" She asks, looking towards Carolyn.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 3:30 PM
"I do not believe the ceremony has officially began yet, so it may be a while, depending on how many guests Mr. Johnner is waiting on to arrive. Perhaps you were the last, in which case it may be best to return to where the rest of the visitors are waiting."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 3:35 PM
"Ah, gotcha" Lelouch clears her throat. "Ladies first," she gestures for Carolyn to take the lead. "Is there anything you particularly want to ask me?"
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 3:42 PM
Carolyn glances around to ascertain if the man in the white suit has followed the two of them inside.
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He has not.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 3:42 PM
"There was one thing, yes... Do you still have your perfume on you, by any chance?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 3:45 PM
"Unfortunately not. Jade had it before they knocked her out, annoyingly."
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Johnner walked into the parlour. "Hey, Blythe. You’re on first."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 3:49 PM
She turns to him and smiles "Of course. Thank you for letting me know." She exits the parlor.
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((Does lelouch also go?))
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 3:53 PM
Lelouch follows, staying silent.
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People have gathered around a podium. Next to the podium is a closed casket.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 3:57 PM
Lelouch finds a spot to stand, just looking at the casket. There's slight contempt on her face.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 3:58 PM
Carolyn makes her way to the podium, and clears her throat. She looks over the crowd, seeing if any new faces have arrived while the two of them were inside.
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There’s no one new. The man in the white suit is crossing his arms, looking annoyed. Johnner stands in the crowd.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 4:01 PM
Lelouch is not lelouching right now.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 4:49 PM
"My knowledge of funeral proceedings leads me to believe that it would be best to begin this eulogy with something of a light, potentially humorous story of my time with Mr. Amon. From there, one would transition to more heavy reminiscence on their shared past with the deceased. Unfortunately, I cannot do this. Mr. Amon was a serious man, throughout all the time I knew him, it would be quite the obvious lie to describe him as easygoing or, well, pleasant. These are traits one would typically associate with one who is content with their life, or in other words, happy. It is no coincidence that Mr. Amon did not hold these traits, as to say he was unhappy would be an understatement. Mr. Amon was miserable. "This is the tragedy of his life, all our lives, really. He had found a place he wished to be, the police force, but as is inevitable for anyone who lives in their ideal state for long enough, he was used up and thrown away by the whims of society. Thus is the double-edged sword of having a dream. It gives your life a win state, but also, on the other hand, a failure state. Mr. Amon failed. I am sure it is not impossible for one to be happy in the line of work he found himself in during recent years; I am an example of one such case, after all. Despite this, it is not where Mr. Amon found happiness. He viewed himself as irredeemable, a blight on society who deserved to be tortured despite trying his best. "It is here that I must thank all of you for giving him a home. Mr. Amon would never allow himself to be happy again, but... Surely, he still deserved the comfort of a family, of acceptance of who he is. This very funeral service demonstrates that he had exactly that, likeminded friends who understood him..." The side of her mouth curls up "Who will remember him for who he was. Through you and I, the existence of Gus Amon will never die. He will live together with us... eternally." Carolyn steps away from the podium, and finds a place to stand in the crowd.
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Johnner claps loudly. Some people in the crowd slowly join in.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 4:51 PM
Lelouch does not.
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Johnner takes the podium next.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 5:04 PM
Lelouch finds her way to stand next to Carolyn.
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“I used to think Gus Amon was a coward. A man who did nothing right… And yet constantly pretended he did. A man who wanted to stick to the law too much to keep his job, but desperate enough that he’d join up with us anyway. Just… An endless train of contradictions and hypocrisy. If you’re gonna be the bigshot criminal type… You’ve gotta be real about it. You’ve gotta know you’re the villain. And I… And I don’t mean in the EL way. I mean in a realist way. We’re the bad guys, y’know? We break this city, we take everything from it. We do it with purpose… But we’re not heroes. If he cared so much about doing what he believes in, life would’ve led him down a completely different path. It’d have been a real dead end of a path, but what can you do?” Johnner laughs uncomfortably. “And I… And I always hated cowards, y’know? It’s a tough life. You do what you gotta do, no point in really judging the rats running around a sewer. You put ‘em down when you have to, but it’s no skin off your back. I figured… The sentimental types just aren’t made for this life. Phrase it however you want, but there’s no point in a life where you just drag your feet and cry over every inconvenience. Survival of the fittest and all. You don’t pick yourself up when things tough? You’re just gonna get run over. That’s the way of life.” He pauses and looks at Gus’s casket. “But uh… Truth is, I was the coward. Too scared to really be alive. It’s not about doing what you believe in. It’s… It’s about believing in what you do. ‘Cause in this life, we all do what we do. Everything’s… Just a matter of perspective. So I’ll be the first to say it… To say the words you’d never have gotten to hear alive. And to mean them.” Johnner steps off the podium and approaches the casket.
5:40 PM
“You’re a hero, Gus. A real life hero… And… I could stand to learn a lot from you. So…” Johnner walks back onto the podium. “No use crying over spilled milk. No use wondering what we can or can’t do. We do what we do. And for that… We oughta love ourselves for it. We oughta be the heroes. And to that… I honor Gus Amon. The man who taught me happiness.” Johnner pauses to let people clap.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 5:47 PM
Carolyn's expression can be described as nothing other than shocked. Her hands unsteadily move together, giving a light clap, before resolving to increase in speed and intensity. She provides Johnner as strong of an applause as she can manage.
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The man in the white suit starts yelling. "You lunatic! What the hell are you talking about!? You are a murderer! You are a criminal! You’ve never done a single thing right in your life! And you’re just- You’re just going to ignore that for your own sake? I don’t care what kind of narcissistic madness you operate on, that’s lunacy! There is no system of ethics under which any action you’ve ever taken in your entire life is anything but objectively evil! You deluded little psychopa-" Several gangsters drag him away by force. "Let go of me, you delusion idiots!"
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 5:57 PM
Carolyn watches him get dragged away with a smug smile as she finishes her round of applause, letting out one vocal observation in a voice barely above that of a whisper "What a wonderful funeral."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 5:58 PM
Lelouch notes the man being dragged away, sighing contently. "Great. I'm next." She mutters through gritted teeth.
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Johnner smiles, unbothered. "Last but not least is the man Gus saw as a true daughter. Lelouch Maoziwam." He steps off the podium.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 6:00 PM
Lelouch gives a one last glance towards Carolyn, before quickly marching up to the podium. Girly is not vibing right now. (edited)
6:00 PM
(I'M THE ONE THATS HELPLESS NOT LELOUCH)
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 6:33 PM
Lelouch looks out to the crowd, her mouth open to say something, before pausing. It's clear she hadn't thought about what she was going to say, even in the time she spent just standing and watching the other two. Letting out a sigh, she speaks up. "Gus Amon was...a man." She starts off, looking towards the closed casket. "Prior to his death, Gus and I fell out. He'd been working with my father, unsurprisingly in retrospect as they're all the same, to prevent me from achieving my dreams in what he deemed was 'for my own good'. I find it downright hilarious how he could even side with Shuichi, I mean the man himself thinks my wonder, amazing girlfriend, Jade Lamperouge is some confounded attempt at me trying to ignore the real world while he himself can't look past the damned accident that took away half my family, and he can't even get over himself to not go on some rampaged, assholish, self-absorbed monologue about his own superiority and false narratives of love that he thinks I believe." There's a bitter spit to her words. "If my father were actually competent, I think he'd be a threat. But he wasn't, or at least I thought he wasn't, until Mr. Gus Amon revealed his true colours as my father's aide. Makes sense, the man was the one writing his paychecks to keep an eye on me, but...there was something about Gus that made him different. An understanding that I thought he had, that I truly, actually believed was real. But it wasn't. It never was." Her gaze never falters from the coffin. "I'd say he was a good man, but I'd be lying. He played dirty to get his way, kept secrets from me and was working with the mafia whatever organisation you call yourself, and to me that's not a good man. Hell, the only thing 'good' about him was the fact he met me, and even then how much of our relationship was fake I don't even know. Sure, he'd protect me and, as Johnner said 'viewed me as a true daughter', but how much of that was real I don't know, and don't want to know." She sighs, looking away from the coffin and out to the crowd. "What I said at the start summarised my thought on Gus Amon in a nice present with a pretty bow on it: Gus Amon," she pauses for dramatic effect, "was a man." (edited)
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 6:39 PM
Carolyn remains silent, a serious expression having emerged on her face early on in Lelouch's eulogy. She shoots consistent glances towards Johnner, gauging his reaction to the speech.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 6:40 PM
Lelouch stays at the podium, like a girlboss.
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"You bitch!" Johnner gets up, furious. "You dare spit on his image at his own funeral?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 6:42 PM
"That's what you get for FUCKING KNOCKING OUT MY GIRLFRIEND!" she pauses, "AND ERYN!"
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 6:42 PM
Carolyn rushes to Lelouch's side, looking worried "What Ms. Maoziwam is... unable to say is that... she has been traumatized by the experience of losing someone so close to her. Casting doubt on the validity of his character and her relationship with him is... it's a coping mechanism to try to justify there having not actually been anything important lost. She's young, and I'm sure when she comes to her senses, she'll be apologetic. Perhaps the funeral was just too soon for her to process everything."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 6:43 PM
"And speaking of spit, dipshit," she grumbles, before spitting on the coffin, "HE GOT WHAT HE DESERVED!"
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 6:45 PM
"Ah, that's... easily cleanable. No harm done, right?" Carolyn grabs Lelouch by the arm and says in as stern of a voice as possible "Lelouch. You need to stop. Now."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 6:47 PM
"Why should I?! These-" she huffs, pulling away from Carolyn, "these ASSHOLES kidnapped me to go to some STUPID funeral for some JACKASS who I don't care about anymore. He is DEAD, he is a TRAITOR and he is DEAD and I have accepted that, and I should NOT have to suffer because some assholes in TARDY WHITE SUITS give a shit about him!"
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A gunshot rings out. The bullet narrowly misses Lelouch, perhaps by intention. Johnner is holding a gun, aimed at Lelouch. "You forget who’s holding all the cards."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 6:55 PM
She stares at Johnner, grumbling. "Men. All the same." She groans. "FINE, I'll stop. But if you expect me to deliver another monologue about how Gus was 'a hero'," she says in a mocking tone, "you can forget it."
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"So you hold your hatred of a man who helped raise you above your own life? Above the life of your friend?" Johnner.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 6:59 PM
"GIRLfriend." She clarifies, pettily.
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"I didn’t ask about her gender."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 7:01 PM
"Trauma responses don't tend to be logical, Mr. Johnner. She is obviously not in a clear state of mind right now, if she's willing to risk the lives of those she loves here, so can we really hold her words of 'hatred' against her? Why don't we simply... remove her from the scene, and continue with the ceremony?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 7:01 PM
"Listen to women, Johnner, they know better."
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"Gus knew better than you ever will." He turns around. "Fine. Get out of here. I’m not interested in killing myself quite yet. I’ll save that for down the line. But don’t expect us to return your girlfriend."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 7:08 PM
"Oh, fuck no-" She seems offended. "You are going to give me back Jade or I swear to god I'll-" She cuts herself off. "Return her."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 7:11 PM
Carolyn speaks to Lelouch in a low voice "Lelouch, please, he will not be convinced like that. Leave, and I'll smooth things over. Trust me, finding amicable solutions is my living."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 7:12 PM
She grumbles, but because it's Carolyn telling her, she wades over. "Alright. Alright, I'll go."
7:12 PM
"How am I getting home?" She looks to Johnner, expectantly.
7:12 PM
"In case you forgot, you kidnapped me and knocked out my designated driver, Eryn."
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He gives a mocking smirk. "I fail to see how that’s my problem."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 7:13 PM
"And I fail to see how kicking this coffin would be my problem." She grumbles under her breath, before sighing.
7:14 PM
"Fine! I'll walk. That's more active than you guys will ever be." She says, smugly waltzing off.
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((Channel split))
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / carolyn-blythe
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Jeff Johnner is currently internally debating whether or not to shoot Lelouch right now.
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Johnner sighs and puts the gun away.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 7:23 PM
"Thank you. Though, I feel inclined to ask what you plan to do with Jade if returning her to Ms. Maoziwam is no longer on the table."
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"I dunno, maybe we’ll kill her?" He doesn’t actually mean that.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 7:27 PM
"I see. Do not misunderstand me, I do believe discipline for Ms. Maoziwam is in order. A child must not be coddled when they act out of line. Still, as you said, Mr. Amon cared for her deeply. If you want to thank him, I would suggest ensuring she grows up properly. Adding further mental scars that she has to carry would be... disrespectful, in my opinion."
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He pauses and looks at the ground. "You care about her?"
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 7:33 PM
"I get along well with her, and I believe she has the right to happiness. If that is what caring for another is, then yes."
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"…Heh. Smug answer."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 7:41 PM
"I apologize, smugness was not my intention. Your speech earlier simply... inspired me. It reminded me of the reason that I am alive. If Mr. Amon was able to teach you what happiness and self-love is through believing in what he does, then... I intend to do no less for those in my life."
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Johnner places his hand on Carolyn’s shoulder. "I like your style. I’m sure… He would’ve been proud of who you are." He turns around to the other gangsters. "Alright, have someone let the green haired girl go. We’ve got someone to bury."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 7:47 PM
A smile returns to Carolyn's face, and she steps back into the crowd, ready to observe the remainder of the proceedings.
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They bring the casket into the hole, and each throw one shovelful of dirt on top. Someone hands Carolyn the shovel.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 7:52 PM
Carolyn hesitates for a moment, but follows the lead of those before her. She shovels in the dirt, and passes the tool to the next person.
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Eventually, he’s fully buried.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 8:01 PM
Carolyn's gaze lingers on where the casket was once visible, but she forces herself to attend to other matters. She takes out her phone and sends Lelouch a DM on Twitter.
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"Good luck. I’ll see you around." Johnner leaves.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / carolyn-and-lelouch
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 8:04 PM
Carolyn_Blythe: Johnner was convinced to release Jade. I am unsure of if he plans to reunite the two of you, or if she has simply been let go. Once the two of you are together again, I would like to regroup. I am in need of some help.
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Advehnt Guard
Avengard / lelouch-maoziwam
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 7:15 PM
Lelouch be walking.
7:17 PM
((I assume the sessio ends now that the channel's split?)
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((No we’re still going))
7:17 PM
Lelouch gets a text from Shawn.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / lelouch-and-shawn
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:14 PM
Hey! Found Maria. I'll drop her off at the old Edlightment building. See ya there.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 7:17 PM
Great. Do you have a car?
7:19 PM
Actually nvm fuck you. See you later.
7:19 PM
Return her in one piece.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 7:49 PM
Also, weird place to drop her off upon reflection.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / lelouch-maoziwam
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 7:17 PM
She text.
7:20 PM
She looks around her surroundings, trying to see anything familiar that might clue her in on where she is, sending the text to Shawn before switching to her phone.
7:20 PM
"Cop...cop...cop..." She skims through, looking for the Cop™️.
7:20 PM
@The Evasive Kidinkasaurus ur fave is returning for an encore)
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He’s there.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 7:22 PM
((YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH))
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 7:22 PM
She calls the number, patiently waiting for him to pick up.
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He picks up. "Hello?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 7:23 PM
"Hi. I usually wouldn't be calling, but I'm stranded. Pick me up." She grits through her teeth, reluctant to say this to a man. "Please."
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"Where?" You can see the address of the funeral parlour.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 7:25 PM
"[Insert address of the funeral parlour.]"
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"Ok." He hangs up.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 7:27 PM
She patiently waits.
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He arrives in his car.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 7:30 PM
"Thanks." She says, getting inside.
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"Where to?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 7:33 PM
"My apartment complex. And step on it, my girlfriend's potentially in danger. And Eryn." She requests, stating her address.
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He drives her to the apartment. There’s no one there.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 7:37 PM
"Fuck." She grumbles. Turning to the police officer, she clears her throat. "By the way, that funeral parlour has like, a bunch of mafia people there. Think they're having a funeral for one of their goons?" She shrugs. "You might want to send some police officers that way." She suggests, a petty expression on her face.
7:38 PM
"But don't you go. I..." she shivers, "need," ugh, she's admitting to needing a MAN! "you, and can't risk you dying."
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"Okay."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 7:47 PM
"Great." She nods."AH- SHIT! Uh- could you actually drop me off at the-" She looks at her phone. "Old Edlightenment building?"
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"The site of that mass murder?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 7:48 PM
"Y..." She mumbles, quickly googling it. "Yeah." She nods, confirming. (edited)
7:49 PM
She quickly sends a text to someone, before jumping in. "Hop to it, I've got women to save!"
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Edlightenment was a cult ran by Edward Blythe, who poisoned all of its members 9 years ago, with the exception of himself and his 18yo daughter.
7:58 PM
The cop is driving.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 8:00 PM
YOOOO BLYTHE
8:01 PM
"I'll have to ask about this next time." She thinks to herself, waiting to be dropped off.
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((End session))
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Lelouch Maoziwam 7/28/2023 8:02 PM
see u next week bestieeee)
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((Saturday))
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The cop arrives at the abandoned building. The front doors are open but the lights are off.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/7/2023 3:33 PM
"Hm. It makes no sense that Shawn would drop off Maria here. I mean, someone has radiant as her deserves a radiant place. And this? Not radiant." Lelouch is dissapointed in men once more. (edited)
3:33 PM
FUCK)
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The cop does not reply.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/7/2023 3:39 PM
Lelouch jumped out the Cadillac and took in the scenery. "Cop, follow me,"
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He follows. Maria is standing inside the building, just barely visible because of the light from outside. She’s shaking.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/7/2023 4:03 PM
"Maria?! Are you safe?!"
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She doesn’t answer. ((Is Lelouch approaching her or))
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/7/2023 4:25 PM
Lelouch approaches cautiously.
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Lelouch reaches Maria when a loud noise sounds from behind her.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/7/2023 4:32 PM
Lelouch turns to look behind her. (edited)
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / shawn-duveldt
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 2:33 PM
"I guess that makes sense. I'm still scared though, what if they fire the gun as a sudden reaction to me rushing at them? When it comes to people I care about, taking risks like that is really intimidating."
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"That’s the problem, kid. You’ve gotta let go."
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 2:35 PM
"How can I? They're the whole reason I do this."
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He sighs. "It’s like I told you earlier. If you do it for anything, you’re just begging for problems."
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 2:38 PM
"I still don't really get that. How... How can you not do it for anything?"
2:39 PM
"If it's just for personal fufilment then... I don't know, why not just play video games?"
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"It’s simple, you see. I do it for me. That’s the same reason anyone does anything. You save Kite because his existence benefits you. Detective James follows the law because it makes her feel good about herself. It doesn’t matter how you phrase it, what you want… At the core of every single human in this world is a selfish heart. The only reason anyone's selfless is because they have to be. A social contract. If you’re a real piece of shit, you wind up alone and hating yourself. That’s why people adopt self-deception and convince themselves they’re right. Doesn’t matter if you’re helping an old lady cross the street, or killing dozens. You trick yourself into thinking it’s for a good cause, but there’s no such thing as someone motivated by anything but greed and selfishness. Once you get that, life goes down a lot easier. That’s what Kite'll probably never understand."
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 2:47 PM
Shawn pauses for a second
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 2:57 PM
"I don't know if you're wrong. Humans are animals, and animals are fundimentally self interested. And thinking we're that far above animals is silly. But... I don't know, there's good in the concept of doing good, yknow? Like... Even if we're all fundamentally selfish, that's still beautiful on some level. There's still value in protecting that."
2:57 PM
"Maybe it is selfish of me to wear this mask and do what I do, but if my selfish intrests are "Making other people happy and safe." I can live with that."
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He chuckles smugly. "A romanticist, huh? I’d hoped you’d be more logical."
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 2:59 PM
"Hah. Kite's the romantic, I'm supposed to be the logical one. But... I think if I didn't have a little bit of that spark in me, I wouldn't be able to get out of bed every morning and put on this mask."
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"When the spark dies, give me a call… If you’re still alive, of course." He sighs. "I’ll see you tomorrow."
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 3:08 PM
"That sounds like it comes from expirience..."
3:09 PM
"See you, Detective Scott."
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He leaves.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 3:10 PM
Shawn decides to leave before the police arrive to clean up the scene. He doesn't want to attract more attention to himself
3:10 PM
He sends another message to Lelouch
3:14 PM
He then sends a message to Kite
Kite, I'm really sorry about all of this. I still care a lot about you and I really want to resume our adventures as soon as you've recovered. I'm sorry for everything
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No response.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 3:19 PM
Didn't expect one
3:19 PM
What time is it
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It’s late evening.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 3:20 PM
It's been a long, long day. Shawn goes home
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His parents are home.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 3:35 PM
Shawn tries to avoid them. He’s hungry but he can go to bed hungry. Right now he’d rather not talk
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Shawn makes it to his room.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 3:39 PM
Shawn collapses onto his bed. It’s been a long and agonizing day, and Shawn suspects it’ll be the first of many, but just for today, he kept Kite safe
3:40 PM
As Shawn drifts off, he thinks about what Howard told him. Can Shawn really maintain being a superhero while holding onto these emotional connections? Is being a superhero even worth it without them? Shawn doesn’t know for sure
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Shawn falls asleep. ((End chapter))
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Shawn is standing in an empty corridor.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 3:58 PM
"Where is he, where is he..."
3:58 PM
Shawn searches down the corridor
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Shawn reaches the right room.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:02 PM
Shawn breathes heavily. He's holding flowers in his right hand.
4:02 PM
He knocks on the door
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No answer.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:05 PM
"Are you there? It's me."
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No answer.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:09 PM
He wouldn't respond, anyway.
4:09 PM
Shawn opens the door
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Kite is inside, laying on the bed. He’s looking away from Shawn.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:10 PM
"Kite? Can you hear me?"
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He doesn’t answer.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:12 PM
"I guess not."
4:12 PM
Usually hospitals have the patient schedules listed on their doors. Shawn checks the schedule.
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He’s already had his surgery. "Get out." Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:17 PM
"Kite, I-"
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"What!?" He turns over. His injured ear is fully gone.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:19 PM
"Oh..."
4:19 PM
"I'm... I-"
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“Just say it!"
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:20 PM
"I'm so sorry."
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“Sorry for what?"
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:22 PM
"For... Everything. Just... All of this, I don't know. Everything that happened yesterday."
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He forces an overconfident smile. "What are you talking about, bro? I just got this awesome battle scar. It just makes me look even more awesome."
4:29 PM
"As you can see, I'm doing pretty great at this hero thing on my own, so you can go back to hanging out with villains all you want. I don't need you."
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:30 PM
Ugh. I wish this was a dream
4:31 PM
"I'm... I'm not a villain. I hate doing that."
4:31 PM
"Yesterday was the worst day of my life."
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Shawn Duveldt
Ugh. I wish this was a dream
Me too.
4:32 PM
"Heh, sucks to be you I guess. I did pretty great, all things considered."
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:33 PM
Shawn sits down at a bedside seat
4:33 PM
"You did. You did amazingly. You kicked her ass."
4:34 PM
"Jade's in the hospital too now. Maybe this one. Not sure."
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"Just another one of my many Ws, as the kids say." He smirks.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:35 PM
Shawn laughs, and then looks down solemnly
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"Hehe..." He pauses. "What do you want, bro? Are you just gonna come crawling back?"
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:40 PM
"I just... I didn't want this. None of this. I want things to go back to how they were before. Like... When we were in that convenience store? Remember that?"
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"...Nope. No clue what you mean."
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:43 PM
"Come on, it was like... six days ago? At the store right by our school, there were robbers and we stopped them. We were heros!"
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"Nah. Not ringing any bells. Last I checked, I've only ever worked alone."
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:44 PM
Shawn looks dejected
4:45 PM
"Kite, I... We're partners. We're the Advent Guard. That's... I told you yesterday. If I ever go against you or betray you in any way, it's out of my control. I would never do that intentionally."
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"Uh-huh, sure. Whatever."
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:46 PM
"I-I'm serious!"
4:46 PM
"Please, man."
4:47 PM
"I... I can't lose you."
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"Yeah? Well I've lost plenty already. I've got enough experience to lose you and not bat an eye."
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:49 PM
"..."
4:49 PM
"What can I do to make things right?"
4:49 PM
"How do I prove to you that I'm always on your side?"
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"That's not my problem."
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:50 PM
"Wh-What does that mean?"
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"It means I don't care!"
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:50 PM
"..."
4:53 PM
"You're the reason I do all this, bro. You're the reason I wear the mask."
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"Sounds like you're a pretty shitty hero, then. Being a hero's about more than just being a clingy fanboy. Without you, I'm still a hero. Without me, you're nothing."
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 4:59 PM
"That's not what I... I do this because I care about helping people! About saving them! And that includes you!"
5:00 PM
"What I mean is that you're the one who inspired me to do this. I'm a hero, but I was made that way because you're a better one. And I can accept that! I can live with that. But..."
5:00 PM
"I can't let you get hurt. That's my job, isn't it? I'm the sidekick and you're the hero, my armor keeps you safe."
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"..." He doesn't respond.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 5:02 PM
"Look at yourself, man. You would've bled to death yesterday if I didn't help you. We're the Advent Guard! We work as a team!"
5:03 PM
"That's... that's the way it should be."
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"..." He doesn't respond. "What happened yesterday? Did she get away again?"
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 5:03 PM
"Almost. One of the captured detectives knocked her out. She's in police custody now."
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"..."
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 5:07 PM
"I couldn't do shit against her when it came down to it. She had a gun to Kingsley's head and if James hadn't jumped in and stopped her, I probably would have hesitated long enough for her to escape."
5:07 PM
"I'm not... I can't be a hero without you. I've tried. I've failed." (edited)
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"Just go, bro."
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 5:08 PM
"Not without you."
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"..." He smiled.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 5:10 PM
"Do you... Do you think we can do this?"
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"Do what?"
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 5:11 PM
"Bring back the Advent Guard? Bring things back to how they used to be?"
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"...I'll think about it."
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 5:22 PM
Shawn lifts his head and softly smiles
5:25 PM
“Thank you, bro.”
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"I don't want your thanks."
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 5:28 PM
“…sorry.”
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"...Just let me rest, okay?"
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 5:31 PM
“Alright”
5:32 PM
Shawn leaves the flowers in a vase on the stand near Kites bed. He heads out the door “See you, Kite. Get some rest, and… call me, alright? Take care.”
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He doesn't answer.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/17/2023 5:34 PM
Shawn leaves
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((End session))
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Shawn is in the corridor outside of Kite's hospital room.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/18/2023 2:10 PM
Shawn heads out of the hospital
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This happens.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/18/2023 2:15 PM
What time is it right now?
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It's still early morning.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/18/2023 2:18 PM
It's a schoolday, technically
2:18 PM
Yesterday was awful, though. Shawn doesn't really want to go
2:19 PM
Shawn talked with Howard earlier. When did he say to arrive for the interrogation?
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He didn't give a specific time.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/18/2023 2:27 PM
Shawn radios him with his earpiece "Hey, what time should I be there?"
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No response.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/18/2023 2:28 PM
Shawn decides to head over there now
2:28 PM
Might as well
2:30 PM
(Shawn also changes sometime)
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The police station is operating as usual. The police actively avoid Shawn.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/18/2023 2:38 PM
Shawn looks around for Howard
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((Roll))
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Shawn Duveldt 6/18/2023 2:46 PM
((15))
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Howard is talking to Ariel May in the observation room next to the interrogation room. Through the glass, the girl can be seen sitting alone.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/18/2023 3:14 PM
Shawn sorta stands there silently, not wanting to disturb him while he's talking to her (edited)
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"You're here." Howard turns to Shawn. Ariel waves slightly.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/18/2023 3:17 PM
"Who's this?"
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"Ariel May. I had an idea for how she could help us, but it seems there's been a mistake on her part." Howard. "Sorry." Ariel.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/18/2023 3:20 PM
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
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"Don't worry about it." Howard sighed. "These kinds of irrelevant details will just confuse you." Howard.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/18/2023 3:23 PM
"Don't patronize me, man. I wanna know the info if I'm going to help you out."
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"I'm not patronizing you. I'm just not telling you what doesn't matter." Howard.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/18/2023 3:35 PM
“Ugh”
3:35 PM
“Who are you?” He says to Ariel
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"I just told you." Howard. "I’m Ariel May." Ariel May.
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Shawn Duveldt 6/18/2023 4:00 PM
"I got that. I-"
4:01 PM
"Whatever we can talk later. Did Howard explain who I am already?"
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"No. I assumed you’d still be busy at this time." Howard sighs. "I have to get some things done first. But if you want to start early with Detective James, be my guest."
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Shawn Duveldt 6/18/2023 4:09 PM
"Are you interogatting her?"
4:09 PM
"That reminds me, she said something odd yesterday."
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"I’ll catch up afterwards." He pauses. "What is it?"
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Shawn Duveldt 6/18/2023 4:15 PM
"It's about Blythe. James mentioned some people going after her to get rid of her, and that she would go and stop them." Shawn says hushed (edited)
4:15 PM
"Wouldn't explain why. Has something to do with Maoziwam though, I think."
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"Ah… That. Blythe's fine, apparently. No fighting or anything." He pauses. "What’s Maoziwam got to do with this?"
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Shawn Duveldt 6/18/2023 4:17 PM
"Not the adult one. The kid. Lelouch. I've... talked with her a couple times"
4:17 PM
"I've told you before, I can't really say why, but I think she's at the center of all of this."
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"…That’s absurd." Howard sighs. "Lelouch Maoziwam is just a kid. I… Knew a guy who was close to her when she was young. He raised her right. I trust him that much." He starts walking away. "Come on, Ariel."
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Shawn Duveldt 6/18/2023 4:21 PM
"Don't underestimate kids, Detective."
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Howard smirks. "I’m an old man. I’m not gonna fold to children." He left. Ariel waves to Shawn and leaves. "Bye!"
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Shawn Duveldt 6/18/2023 4:26 PM
Shawn waves
4:27 PM
He looks at The Girl through the 1 way mirror
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She’s just sitting there.
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((Saturday))
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((Saturday))
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((?))
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((?))
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Shawn Duveldt 7/4/2023 7:04 PM
((?))
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 1:58 PM
Shawn heads to the place where Detective James is
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She’s at her desk. "…You again."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 2:14 PM
“Heya. Scott told me to… check in with you? Not sure.”
2:14 PM
“How are you? Did you recover okay?”
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She stares at Shawn intensely. "I’m not willing to divulge that information to a criminal."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 2:16 PM
I’ll never understand women
2:17 PM
“Okay”
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"Do you really trust Howard Scott?"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 2:20 PM
“I can’t exactly be picky with my allies” (edited)
2:22 PM
“He’s…. Honest, I guess. I don’t agree with him on much, but I can respect that he knows what he wants”
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"He does not know anything." She stood up. "He's a coward... And a fool. But most of all, he has no respect for the law. If I had any choice in the matter, he'd be considered a criminal and imprisoned. If you want to be a hero, do it through the proper channels and with the right people."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 2:26 PM
“…”
2:27 PM
“I told you what I think yesterday. We don’t agree on very much, but the thing we both agree on is that believing in the law is going to lead you astray eventually. The only thing you can really believe is yourself”
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"You are fallible. Every single person in this world is fallible. We're not machines, as much as we may pretend. We don't know right from wrong, we can only pretend to. If given the chance, we will always simply become slaves to our emotions. We will always make mistakes. Only as a collective can we even approach objectivity. So the belief you place in yourself... It's worth nothing. It's simply confident hypocrisy."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 2:41 PM
“Hm… it’s not that I don’t agree with you. There’s no true morality and even if there is, there’s no real way to know it. But the law is as good a guess as any other”
2:42 PM
“Haven’t you heard the saying ‘a person is smart, people are dumb’? I don’t know if that’s actually a saying or not”
2:43 PM
“Objectivity isn’t real, we just convince ourselves it is when we get into a big enough group”
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"So you believe one person’s wishes outweigh the many? How selfish. If everyone believed you, it’d be anarchy."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 3:11 PM
“One persons wishes should be towards the safety of the many. That’s how every person should be. And everyone constantly clashes on which ideas are the best ones, and as long as everyone is willing to learn and willing to move forward, the best option will emerge on top” (edited)
3:11 PM
“It’s not anarchy. It’s… democratic, I guess”
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"So the weak don’t deserve a voice? The strongest decide for everyone. Power overrules logic."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 3:13 PM
“In an ideal world, the only strength that matters would be the strength of the idea.”
3:14 PM
“I’m not really one for intense ideological debates. Like I said, I like to be constantly learning. What I do know for sure is that I can help people in a way no one else can right now, and it’d be terrible if I didn’t take up this opportunity.”
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"Helping people? You're the threat."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 3:50 PM
“I’m the threat? I saved you”
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She just stares at him. "Detective James!" An officer runs over to them. "We have the results on who that woman in the white suit is."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 4:16 PM
Shawn does the rock eyebrow pose thing but you can’t see it behind his helmet. He’s clearly inquisitive tho
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"Lillian Mooney. Her parents were killed in the original Edlightenment case. No surviving family. Doesn't seem like she was ever adopted, either." The officer.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 4:20 PM
“Well, at least we have a name.”
4:20 PM
“Do we know when she joined up with these guys?”
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"No idea." The officer. "Let’s see what she has to say about it." Detective James heads towards the interrogation room.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 4:21 PM
Shawn follows
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Lillian watches them enter the room. "You 2 don’t exactly make a sensible duo. What happened to justice going beyond what the law can accomplish? What happened to the law being absolute? I’m almost disappointed in your convictions." James sits down in front of her without answering.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 4:25 PM
Shawn remains standing, leaning against the wall near the table
4:26 PM
Well, she wasn’t my first choice for interrogation partner, either
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"Lillian Mooney. Orphan. No living family. Unemployed." Detective James. "…Kerloe." Lillian spits out this name. "What?" James. "My name is Lillian Kerloe. Like you said, the Mooney family is dead." Lillian.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 4:29 PM
“Records say you were never adopted. Is this some kind of like… Kerloe is with the New Edlightment, yeah? You consider yourself part of his family now?”
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Lillian doesn’t answer. "Kerloe… It’s not exactly a common name. If memory serves, it was also in the news recently. The Kerloe fishery explosion. Did that have something to do with you, then?" James. Lillian smiles.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 4:32 PM
“Nah, she wasn’t. Her organization was tho.”
4:33 PM
“There were two people at the Kerloe fishery that day. The owner, Hav, and a white suit. Like you. Is that your new father? Hav Kerloe’s…. Brother? Cousin?”
4:34 PM
“Tell us about him”
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"…" Lillian. "You were involved with that too?" Detective James turns to him.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 4:37 PM
“I saw it happen. A bomb at Kerloe Fishery, and half a block away, Hav Kerloe and a white suit switched the detonator. Jeff Johnner took them away in a car, along with one other guy. But I assume she knows all that already.”
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Lillian remains silent. "And you didn’t come forward as a witness?" James.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 4:41 PM
“I mean….”
4:41 PM
Shawn gestures at himself
4:41 PM
“Let’s not get off topic. What’s your endgame, Lillian.”
4:42 PM
“There have been a whole string of kidnappings in the last week by your organization.”
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"…What do you think happens when you die?" Lillian. "That doesn’t matter." James.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 4:47 PM
“No idea.”
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"You’re both so unimaginative." Lillian sighs. "I don’t care about hypotheticals. My job is to care about the present." James. "When you die, the only things left behind are feelings. If you die happy, you’ll remain happy for eternity. If you die miserable, you’ll remain miserable for eternity. That’s one of Edlightenment's beliefs." Lillian.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 4:54 PM
“Aren’t you guys anti Edlightment? They’re the ones who lead to the deaths of all your families, aren’t they?” (edited)
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"No. …Don’t you understand? Those people were not my family. The only family I’ve ever had… Is the one I have now." Lillian. "So your new cult isn’t defined by the original beliefs at all?" James. "Oh, no. The others are certainly true believers. That’s exactly why they’re so grateful their families died." Lillian.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 4:58 PM
“I’m a little lost… do you believe the same thing or not?”
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"Loosely." Lillian. "Why would anyone be grateful their families were murdered?" James. "…You really don’t get it?" Lillian.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 5:03 PM
Shawn pauses for a second
5:05 PM
“So that day with me and Kite… that really was a trap, wasn’t it?”
5:07 PM
“I suspected as much after the fact.”
5:08 PM
“What does this have to do with the kidnappings?”
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"Not exactly." Lillian. "What are you talking about?" James.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 5:10 PM
“If what you’re saying is true, what’s the difference between you and the therapist? Why’s there a ‘new Edlightment’ if you’re not out for revenge?” (edited)
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"That was a personal choice. I am my own person, you know? I hold personal grudges sometimes. The kind I can’t simply act on by myself." Lillian. James grabs Shawn by the shoulders. "Tell me what you’re talking about!"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 5:14 PM
“She contacted me and Kite the day before the Kerloe incident. She tricked us and made us go to the scene of Gus Amons murder. I have no clue who did it, but we nearly got framed because of her.” (edited)
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"Did you… Take a gun from the scene?" James.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 5:16 PM
“No. We took nothing. The cuts in the wall were us tho. Or… that was Kite. Not me.”
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"Blythe claimed he killed himself, but the lack of weapon and clear signs of fighting told us otherwise." James.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 5:19 PM
“It was Blythe herself, probably.”
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"You don’t know that." James says that too forcefully.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 5:21 PM
Shawn stares at her for a few seconds
5:22 PM
He turns to Lillian
5:22 PM
"Lelouch Maoziwam. You kidnapped her twice. Why?"
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"The first time, we thought she was someone else. The second, she attacked us first. It's not like we're even allowed to hurt her, you know?" Lillian. "Why not?" James. "Gus Amon. He may be dead, but people are 'honoring his memory' by letting the girl he saw as a daughter live. I wouldn't bother keeping her alive if it was my choice." Lillian.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 5:34 PM
Lelouch did mention a "Gus" a couple times.
5:34 PM
"Gus Amon was with you?"
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"Not really." Lillian.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 5:36 PM
That also... That explains why she was at the murder scene. She didn't kill him... She was investigating his murder.
5:36 PM
Ugh, how didn't I see that sooner
5:37 PM
"Sophie Wight then. Why were you after her?"
5:38 PM
"And the other two." (edited)
5:38 PM
"ESPECIALLY that bandaged guy. Who even was he?"
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Lillian doesn't answer.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 5:45 PM
Shawn moves to the table and slams his hands on it (edited)
5:45 PM
“What are you after?”
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"..." Lillian. "Asking such direct questions obviously isn't going to work." James. "I've told you everything I can. If you seriously expect me to ruin my own plans, you're clearly a fool." Lillian.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 5:49 PM
Shawn moves off the table (edited)
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"Really, if you were going to ask me about Edlightenment... You should've brought the one who actually experienced that." Lillian. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 5:51 PM
Shawn is a little taken aback
5:52 PM
"He would be here if it wasn't for you."
5:52 PM
Shawn shakes his head
5:52 PM
"Can I ask you something different."
5:53 PM
"When we first met, you saw what my suit could do. You fired a minigun at me. I met your boss later on, and he seemed totally unaware of what my suit could do."
5:53 PM
"Did you just forget to tell him?"
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"He can be very persistent." Lillian.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 5:54 PM
"What's that supposed to mean?"
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"..." Lillian.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 5:57 PM
Shawn leans back again
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James motions for him to follow her, and steps outside of the interrogation room.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 6:01 PM
Shawn follows
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"You need to bring in your partner. She’s clearly implying she wants to speak to him. It might be our only chance for her to tell us about Jeff Johnner." James.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 6:15 PM
"What? No. No can do. He's in the hospital, he needs to recover."
6:16 PM
"You don't know why she said that, do you? Kite... has a history with these guys."
6:16 PM
"She was just alluding to that."
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"She may have admitted to her own crimes, but she’s not going to say anything against her boss normally. If we don’t try everything we legally can, she’ll just be arrested without giving us anything. You friend isn’t as important as the law."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 6:19 PM
"I... Ugh. I don't want to compromise his health. He needs to recover."
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"His safety means nothing against the law."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 6:22 PM
"Why does he need to be here anyway? It's hazardous to his health, and I doubt he's going to get us any more info then she's already given."
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"It’s just like I thought. You vigilantes always put yourselves before doing what’s right. You don’t care about right and wrong, it’s all just a game to you."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 6:30 PM
"Don't guilt trip me. You wouldn't ask a cop to come to work the day after they amputated her ear."
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"Of course I would. I’d even do the same if I lost my own ear. That’s the job."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 6:45 PM
"Ugh. Can I talk to Scott before we do."
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"He’s not back yet." James. "Yare yare daze." Kite walks in, completely butchering the pronunciation. "Kept you waiting, huh? You really think I’m just gonna stand by and let you guys do all the work. I’m the hero here, y’know?" He plants the crowbar on his shoulder and poses dramatically.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 6:49 PM
"Kite!!!"
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"…Hey, bro." He doesn’t look Shawn in the eye. "…Ugh. You’re the worse one of the 2, aren’t you?" James. "I’m the best of the one and only!" Kite. "That would also make you the worst." James. "Whatever! I’m not being literal. Every word I say's pretty much poetry, y’know?" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 6:59 PM
"Yes! So true!"
7:03 PM
"He's the better of us two, honestly."
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Kite frowns. "I’m just gonna get to work. You guys are free to watch my genius on the sidelines." "You are not a detective. I can’t just let you in there alone." James. Kite smirks. "Of course I’m not a detective… Don’t you know the hero's always the guy who cleans up for the cops?" "That’s pure fiction." James. "Of course it’s pure fiction… Did you think I’d be going for impure fiction?" Kite points to his bandaged missing ear. "You can claim it’s just fiction all you want, but I’m pretty deep into this stock hero role at this point. I just keep on getting more badass. And you? You don’t even have a single cool scar, how embarrassing!" He laughs confidently.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 7:08 PM
Shawn is kinda amazed that Kite can go back to his usual humor antics after losing an ear (edited)
7:09 PM
"We should all go in together, yeah. We all have info the others don't know. She knows about Johnner, I know about Lillian, and Kite knows about the Edlightment"
7:09 PM
"By the way, the girl who shot you is named Lillian Mooney."
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"You really trust this unstable lunatic?" James. Kite swings open the door, and swings the crowbar into the table. "Talk or I’m gonna kill you!" "DO NOT DO THAT!" James. Lillian is amused.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 7:12 PM
Shawn looks over at James and shrugs
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"I see your ear didn’t heal." Lillian says smugly. "Yeah. Thanks for that, your role as a villain at least accomplished this." Kite. Lillian laughs. "So you really are just as broken as the rest of them."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 7:18 PM
Shawn steps into the room after Kite
7:18 PM
"The rest of them? You mean the Edlightment kids? Like you?"
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"The believers, yes." Lillian. "Uh-huh… And what do they believe in? Villain fashion?" Kite. "The teachings of Edward Blythe, obviously." Lillian.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 7:23 PM
"Where do you guys get all the suits anyway. They have to be expensive. Is there like an Edlightment-brand dry cleaners?"
7:25 PM
Shawn refocuses "You and the other kids have been indoctrinated into this whole death cult."
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"They had nothing else to hold onto. So… We told them the truth." Lillian. "Stop talking in riddles and just spit it out, you bitch!" Kite. "We told them that their parents' murder was not a loss… But a gift. They’d been generously saved by Carolyn Blythe." Lillian.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 7:29 PM
"A real convenient 'truth' for you guys"
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"Those who’ve lost everything very easily accept justification." James. "Can you shut the hell up, already? I don’t remember asking for your help." Kite. "You’re the unwelcome one here." James. "Details, details! Just sit back and stop whining!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 7:43 PM
"You're the one who asked for him to be here." Shawn, to James
7:45 PM
Shawn turns to Lillian "You asked me earlier if I believed in an afterlife. I don't. I think we have just one life, this one, and we have to choose how to live it. It's all in the moment."
7:46 PM
"What you're doing is... It's a death cult, meant to coerce traumatized kids into being your goons. It's sick."
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"…That’s what you do for family." Lillian. "Stop stalling. What'd you do to convince them she’s a hero?" Kite. "It’s simple… The world is a cold and cruel place. No matter what, we always get hurt and spiral into misery eventually. We can recover, but only temporarily. They were happy that day… And so they granted a chance to take part in eternal happiness. Without risk or consequence. It’d be a gift, don’t you think? In the end… The New Edlightenment is the hero." Lillian. Kite swung the crowbar at her face, stopping just short of hitting her. She jumped in fear, her confidence broken. "Shut the hell up! What kind of shitty justification is that? Eternal happiness? Who the hell would want that? Happiness is only good 'cause it breaks through the bad moments, I’ve got no use for a life full of nonstop bliss! If I’m not getting beat down and fighting back, I’m not alive! And if I’m not alive, that’s not happiness! It’s not any other emotion, either… It’s nothing short of fantasy!" "Fantasy? You’re playing superhero-" Lillian. "That’s a fantasy I chose for myself! If you wanna go off and kill yourself to pretend it’ll make you happy, be my guest! But you don’t get to go off and choose for anyone else! Only a real hero like me has that kind of power!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 8:35 PM
God, how did I ever do it without him
8:38 PM
"Yeah!"
8:38 PM
"You're so right."
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"Stop threatening the suspect with violence, or I’m going to arrest you too." James. "You really think I’m gonna back down just because some woman wants to act cocky? Where are the real detectives waiting at? And while I’m waiting for them to show up, why don’t you go and make me a sandwich?" He lets out a cocky laugh. "That’s a joke! I already ate!" Detective James looks incredibly annoyed, but can’t think of any legal response to that. "Ah… I’m really getting into this solo hero spirit." Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 8:45 PM
"Hey... We're still a team..."
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"…" Kite looks away from Shawn.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 9:02 PM
Shawn steps towards Lilian "I don't have hopes to convince you out of this ideology. But I know this mission of yours, spreading this death cult, it's doomed to fail. Because... Happiness, real, good true happiness, can only exist in a world where sadness exists to compare it to. An eternity in paradise wouldn't be anywhere near as satisfying as the moment when you overcome your hardships. If you think heaven is that, and youd prefer that to life, then we don't plan on stopping you. But it's not going to spread, because I think most people agree with me."
9:03 PM
"Most people who aren't horribly traumatized children at least. God, that's so disgusting."
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"Ha… I guess they just knew I was way cooler than those other kids. Sorry, but the second you realized I was too powerful to join your cult, it became my destiny to take all of you down." Kite points to himself with his thumb. "And when I’ve broken down your whole plan, your members are gonna have to start a whole new cult in my honour." "…Do you really think we avoided you for years because we were scared of you?" Lillian.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 9:14 PM
"He was simply too smart for you guys."
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"…It’s because his 'bro' stopped it. That’s the only reason he lived your life alone. Nothing else makes him special." Lillian. "…You mean-!?" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 9:16 PM
"Uhh...."
9:16 PM
"Who? Do you mean me or..."
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"Nothing." Kite. "You know someone with that kind of power? Who is it?" James. "Like I said, I don’t! And even if I did, he definitely wouldn’t be working with these bastards!" Kite. "Did you think he came across you because you were so important? That was the only thing that made you noteworthy. He picked you at random off a list. " Lillian laughs. "Shut the hell up! You’ve got no room to talk! You’d be worth nothing to anyone if not for that stupid cult of yours!" Kite. "My father loves me! I’m useful to plenty of people! You- You’re just alone, desperately pretending someone could ever love you to cope with that fact. But you always will be alone! Because you’re just a sad, pathetic, child who wants to pretend he knows better than anyone he speaks to!" Lillian takes a moment to breathe, before continuing. "…If I’d told you, last Friday, that we were on your side and we’d stick through it… You wouldn’t be here desperately trying to look better than me. You’d be hard at work at New Edlightenment, desperately begging for our approval to be part of our family. You can call us evil for using traumatized children, but you’re twice as pathetic and traumatized as they’ll ever be."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/8/2023 9:35 PM
"Speak for yourself, asshole."
9:36 PM
"Kite HAS people who love and care about him, and they do it for who he is, not for how well he can fit into whatever suicide cult mold they need him to be part of."
9:38 PM
"Fuck, the Edlightment wasn't even on our side last Friday. You were! You broke from their code to commission us on your revenge mission. If anyone's a failure to them, it's you."
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"If you ask me... I'd say you're the most traumatized of all the kids. You wanna pretend you're so much cooler and smarter than the rest... But I bet that dad of yours couldn't care less about you." Kite. Lillian grimaces in rage and looks away, defeated. "Yes... Good job. You're both so traumatized and childish, so you commit crime. Unfortunately, that doesn't tell us anything." James.
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((Not sure if you’ll have a session, depends on other progress but if you do it’ll be on Saturday))
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((If you have a session on Saturday it’ll start late))
👍 1
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 3:28 PM
((Hi))
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"Yes... Good job. You're both so traumatized and childish, so you commit crime. Unfortunately, that doesn't tell us anything." James.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 3:32 PM
"Kite, do you have any idea what these guys are after?"
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"Evil stuff, obviously!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 3:52 PM
No luck, then
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"Tell us what you know." James slams her fist into the table in front of Lillian. "Do you seriously believe I’m going to tell you anything after that? You’re such a fool." Lillian.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 3:55 PM
"Kite, you know more about their organization then either of us. Do you know any way to make her talk?"
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"Torture!" Kite. "No!" James.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 3:56 PM
"Something ethical?"
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"You weren’t yelling about ethics back when you-!" Kite is interrupted by Howard walking in. "Only the most by-the-book interrogation, I imagine?" Howard smirks.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 3:59 PM
“Hey, Detective.”
4:00 PM
“Yeah it’s uh…” Shawn looks around “Going well?”
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"No luck on getting her to spill where Johnner’s hiding? A shame. Good news is, I think we found your missing girl." Howard. "…Johnner?" Lillian leans forward, confident. "Oh, I can tell you about Jeff Johnner."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 4:04 PM
“What do you know about Jeff Johnner?”
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"Jeff Johnner is the second in command of the Avengard mob. He’s a foreigner with a fake name, though I don’t know his original one. He was brought here specifically to start this criminal empire. And… He’s at the mall." Lillian. "What?" Howard and Kite both say this simultaneously, then look at each other annoyed. "The mob has a hideout in the employee section of the mall." Lillian.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 4:12 PM
"Jeff Johnner is a fake name? Who could've guessed that..."
4:12 PM
"What do you know about their first in command?"
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"Nothing. Only Johnner himself knows that." Lillian.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 4:13 PM
"I see. Why are you so willing to give up info about Johnner and the mob?"
4:13 PM
"I know they were involved with the Kerloe Fishery incident. I thought they were your allies?"
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Lillian goes silent.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 4:15 PM
"Is this a personal thing, or an organization thing?" How does Lilian stand to benefit from the mob being taken down?
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Lilian remains silent. "Well, we’ve got what we needed." Howard smiles widely. "Checkmate, Johnner." "Hey! The cool lines go to me, got it?" Kite. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 4:17 PM
"Do you know anything about Grizz Soniaquill?"
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Lillian remains silent.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 4:23 PM
"That's all I got."
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"Then go get your friend. When you come back, it’ll be time to finish this." Howard. "What’s he talking about, bro?" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 4:26 PM
"I'll tell you about it when we're out of earshot of her." Shawn looks at Lilian
4:27 PM
Shawn prepares to exit
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Kite follows.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 4:29 PM
Does Howard also follow
4:29 PM
Cuz
4:29 PM
We need him for a sec
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Howard follows.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 4:32 PM
"Where is she?"
4:33 PM
Shawn pauses and turns to Kite. "Remember that girl Maria? Apparently, she's been kidnapped, and I asked Howard to help me locate her."
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"Isn’t she working for Lelouch?" Kite. "You know that mountain? Near Avengard?" Howard.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 4:38 PM
To Kite "No one is working for Lelouch. They're all victims of her." To Howard "Uhh... I think so. Never been there myself."
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"Niebel’s got a cabin up there. And just this morning, Ouroboros Stanley’s car was spotted driving away from it. Except it was stolen by one of Johnner's goons. Which means if she’s still alive, she’ll be up there." Howard.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 4:55 PM
"Do you think Niebel is up there too?"
4:56 PM
"Also, was the car stolen before or after it was spotted driving away? Who do you think was driving it?"
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"Before it was spotted. That’s why I know it was one of his goons, like I just said." Howard.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 4:59 PM
"Hm... Why do you think she'd be up there then? She was kidnapped by Ouroboros, who I'm pretty sure isn't connected to the mob."
5:00 PM
"It's the best lead we got, i guess, but I feel like that mostly just confirms that that's where she isn't. If Ouroboros got his car stolen, how could he leave the city?"
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"Because Ouroboros drove that car there in the first place. If he didn’t leave with it, he can’t leave at all." Howard.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:01 PM
"Oh I see. Okay."
5:01 PM
"Makes sense then, yeah."
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"So we’ve gotta go deal with that now? Seriously?" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:02 PM
"This is actually good for us. We get to save someone, and we get to investigate Niebel."
5:02 PM
"I talked with him actually. Really suspicious guy. I think it would be good to investigate him more."
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"Good luck." Howard.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:03 PM
"I'm nervous about leaving the city."
5:04 PM
"I'm willing to go, but a lot happens here. Even if we miss just a single day, that would be a lot."
5:04 PM
"Things might be a little more chill now that we've captured Lillian, but the Edlightment is still out there, and there's a whole conspiricy that we don't even know the half of."
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"Then come back in a few hours. I wasn’t expecting you to be gone for days." Howard. "It’s not far, bro." Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:06 PM
"I... Sorry, I've only been here a little while. I have absolututly no sense of proportion of this city."
5:06 PM
"There's like... a whole other town. That's like a half an hour walk away."
5:06 PM
"Whatever."
5:07 PM
"Lets go, then. Time to do some hero work."
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"That’s my line!" Kite leaves.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:14 PM
Shawn follows
5:14 PM
"I'm glad you're feeling better!"
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"We’ve gotta call a taxi. You deal with that." Kite ignores him.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:15 PM
"You can just... take a taxi to the mountain?"
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"Yeah? Why not?"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:15 PM
That'd probably be expensive... I owe it to him
5:16 PM
Shawn phones a taxi
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The taxi agrees to drive them to the parking lot next to the mountain.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:17 PM
((Wait did they like. Change first. Or are they just in their halloween costumes))
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((They’re in costume))
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:21 PM
((Funny visual))
5:22 PM
Shawn sits awkardly in the passenger seat opposite to Kite
5:22 PM
"Hey, uhh, I'm glad you're able to walk around, and stuff."
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"Okay."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:24 PM
Shawn is silent. And awkward.
5:24 PM
"I'm... sorry about yesterday."
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"Okay."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:25 PM
"..."
5:25 PM
"I'm glad you're still with me."
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"…"
5:26 PM
"…Okay."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:27 PM
Shawn doesn't say anything else
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They arrive at the mountain.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:29 PM
Shawn pays the taxi and tips him, and leaves
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Kite heads off onto the mountain path.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:30 PM
Shawn follows, and leads Kite towards the address
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Ouroboros and Maria Stanley are both directly ahead of them on the path. Maria is unconscious, and Ouroboros is carrying her.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:33 PM
Shawn calmly approaches
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"Who the hell are you two?" Ouroboros. "We’re the good guys." Kite. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:36 PM
"We're here to save your daughter."
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"You're what? How do you know what's going on here?" He takes a defensive step back. "If you don’t hand her over, we’re gonna beat you to death!" Kite. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:41 PM
"What happened to her?"
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"That's not your problem." Ouroboros reaches back for the gun holster. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:43 PM
"Kite, get behind me."
5:44 PM
Shawn approaches Ouroboros slowly "I don't want to fight. You'll lose."
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"Don’t tell me what to do!" Kite. "Then let's not." Ouroboros. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:45 PM
"What happened to Maria? Why's she passed out?"
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"...Should I have any reason to tell you?" Ouroboros. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:47 PM
"We're the Advent Guard. Whatever happened to her, we've got the best chance out of anyone of stopping it."
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"What?" Ouroboros. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:48 PM
"We're, uh... Superheros."
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"...I guess you've been visited by the cat too, then." Ouroboros. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:50 PM
"Cat?"
5:51 PM
"Wait... Are you like us?"
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He doesn’t answer.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:53 PM
"She mentioned 5 others... But there's been way more then 5 by now..." Shawn mumbles (edited)
5:55 PM
"What's yours, then."
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""Doesn't matter. Don't have it anymore." Ouroboros. "Idiot." Kite. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 5:56 PM
"You lost it?"
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"I gave it away." Ouroboros.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:00 PM
"That's a valuble thing to give away."
6:01 PM
"What for?"
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"Not your problem. If you're heroes, you should be worried about Jeff Johnner." Ouroboros. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:02 PM
"Why?"
6:02 PM
"I know his goons stole your car."
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"They what? " Ouroboros. "Is this guy senile or something?" Kite. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:03 PM
"Uh... Yeah, sorry. Last I heard, someone working for them was seen in it going towards the city."
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"Now give us the girl!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:12 PM
"What's going on with Jeff Johnner?"
6:12 PM
"Is he here?"
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"I certainly fuckin' hope not. He wants me dead." Ouroboros. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:14 PM
"For what?"
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"No clue." Ouroboros. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:15 PM
"Something to do with your resturant right? And Shuichi Maoziwam?"
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"How am I supposed to know?" Ouroboros. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:17 PM
"Is that why you brought her here? For protection?"
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"...I didn't think anyone would track us here. Or come here for any reason, really." Ouroboros. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:19 PM
"You should keep better track of your car."
6:19 PM
"We're not here for you, though. Unless you can help us with this mystery stuff. We're here to help her."
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"Yeah? Help her how?" Ouroboros. "Being saved!" Kite. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:23 PM
"Keeping her safe, mostly."
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"...You sure that guy's any good at it?" Ouroboros motions to Kite. (edited)
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:26 PM
"Don't say that!" Shawn sounds kinda pouty "We're a duo through and through."
6:27 PM
"We're just used to combat situations, sorry. I don't want to fight you if we don't have to. I think we have the same goals, ultimatly."
Avatar
"Here's the deal: you can have her, but you need to get Jeff Johnner out of the picture, so we're both safe. But... her especially. Listen to her needs. She needs to be kept safe." Ouroboros. (edited)
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:29 PM
"Deal! We were targetting Jeff Johnner anyway."
6:30 PM
"I've seen him before. He's got a big mob, but he's no match for us."
Avatar
Ouroboros lowers his back, allowing him to take her. (edited)
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:30 PM
Shawn takes Maria
Avatar
"...She's been a little unstable recently. Don't let her do anything she'd regret." Without looking back, Ouroboros walks off, further down the mountain (edited)
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / ouroboros-stanley
Avatar
Shawn and another boy walk towards them on the path.
Avatar
Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 8:52 PM
...Do either of them look like they were bleeding? (edited)
Avatar
The blue haired boy has bandages over his ear, but they don't seem to be actively bleeding. Shawn is unharmed.
8:56 PM
They are both also wearing halloween costumes.
Avatar
Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 8:58 PM
...Probably not with Johnner then, but who knows. He's basically already dead, if so. "Who the hell are you two?"
Avatar
"We’re the good guys." Blue hair. "We're here to save your daughter." Shawn.
Avatar
Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 9:07 PM
"You're what? How do you know what's going on here?" He takes a defensive step back.
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"If you don’t hand her over, we’re gonna beat you to death!" Blue hair. "What happened to her?" Shawn.
Avatar
Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 9:14 PM
"That's not your problem." He reaches back for the gun holster. Hopefully Sean's already found it. He'd rather not get confronted again later for lying.
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"Kite, get behind me." Shawn approaches Ouroboros slowly. "I don't want to fight. You'll lose." "Don’t tell me what to do!" Kite, presumably.
Avatar
Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 9:16 PM
Bold statement from glasses kid. He, indeed, would prefer not to murder anyone here. "Then let's not." (edited)
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"What happened to Maria? Why's she passed out?" Shawn.
Avatar
Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 9:19 PM
They know her name, too... "...Should I have any reason to tell you?"
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"We're the Advent Guard. Whatever happened to her, we've got the best chance out of anyone of stopping it." Shawn.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 9:23 PM
"What?"
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"We're, uh... Superheros." Shawn.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 9:25 PM
"...I guess you've been visited by the cat too, then." He didn't mean to say that out loud. He also doesn't particularly care at this point.
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"Cat? Wait... Are you like us?" Shawn.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 9:29 PM
It figures a couple of kids who've been graced by God would develop a complex over it. Weirdos. Are these Maria's classmates?
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"She mentioned 5 others... But there's been way more then 5 by now..." Shawn mumbles. "What's yours, then."
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 9:55 PM
"Doesn't matter. Don't have it anymore."
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"Idiot." Kite. "You lost it?" Shawn.
Avatar
Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 10:00 PM
"I gave it away."
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"That's a valuble thing to give away. What for?" Shawn.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 10:04 PM
"Not your problem. If you're heroes, you should be worried about Jeff Johnner."
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"Why? I know his goons stole your car." Shawn.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 10:07 PM
"They what? " (edited)
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"Is this guy senile or something?" Kite. "Uh... Yeah, sorry. Last I heard, someone working for them was seen in it going towards the city." Shawn. "Now give us the girl!" Kite. "What's going on with Jeff Johnner? Is he here?" Shawn.
Avatar
Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 10:13 PM
"I certainly fuckin' hope not. He wants me dead."
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"For what?" Shawn.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 11:10 PM
"No clue."
Avatar
"Something to do with your resturant right? And Shuichi Maoziwam?" Shawn.
Avatar
Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 11:13 PM
"How am I supposed to know?"
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"Is that why you brought her here? For protection?" Shawn.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 11:19 PM
"...I didn't think anyone would track us here. Or come here for any reason, really."
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"You should keep better track of your car. We're not here for you, though. Unless you can help us with this mystery stuff. We're here to help her." Shawn.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 11:23 PM
"Yeah? Help her how?"
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"Being saved!" Kite. "Keeping her safe, mostly." Shawn.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 11:26 PM
That doesn't mean anything. "...You sure that guy's any good at it?" He motions to Kite.
Avatar
"Don't say that!" Shawn sounds kinda pouty "We're a duo through and through. We're just used to combat situations, sorry. I don't want to fight you if we don't have to. I think we have the same goals, ultimatly."
Avatar
Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 11:34 PM
...The same goals. Yeah, sure. Who knows what these guys are thinking. They, at least, don't appear to have anything to do with Maria's immediate friend group; Kite obviously isn't a real name, but Jade and Lelouch are both obviously feminine names. Delusional or not, they at least appear to be classmates of hers. Maybe she needs a bit of space again. Away from... her family. The family that's treated her so poorly for so long. ... But why would that fix her? If it's time away from her family she needs, then how would Ouroboros exiting her life again have any effect? "Here's the deal: you can have her, but you need to get Jeff Johnner out of the picture, so we're both safe. But... her especially. Listen to her needs. She needs to be kept safe."
Avatar
"Deal! We were targetting Jeff Johnner anyway. I've seen him before. He's got a big mob, but he's no match for us." Shawn. (edited)
Avatar
Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 11:37 PM
He lowers his back, allowing him to take her.
Avatar
Shawn takes Maria
Avatar
Ouroboros Stanley 2/1/2024 11:41 PM
"...She's been a little unstable recently. Don't let her do anything she'd regret." Without looking back, he walks off, further down the mountain. Not necessarily to where he parked. It doesn't matter any more.
Avatar
There’s a taxi in the parking lot.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/2/2024 4:27 PM
Is there anyone inside?
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There’s a cab driver.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/2/2024 4:32 PM
He taps on the window.
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"…Yes?" They open the window.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/2/2024 4:37 PM
"Are you available? I need a ride to Shelk."
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"That’ll be (some amount of money)."
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/2/2024 4:37 PM
He provides that.
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"Get in."
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/2/2024 4:39 PM
He wordlessly takes a back seat.
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The cab drives to Shelk.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/2/2024 4:40 PM
"Thanks." He gets out, and walks the rest of the distance home.
Avatar
Ouroboros arrives back home. It looks normal.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/2/2024 4:43 PM
He goes inside.
Avatar
Maria Sr is inside.
Avatar
Ouroboros Stanley 2/2/2024 4:47 PM
"Hey, I'm-" He immediately passes out on the floor from exhaustion. (edited)
🔥 1
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / shawn-duveldt
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:32 PM
Shawn is now holding Maria
6:32 PM
"Kite, can you call a taxi? I can't reach my phone."
6:33 PM
"Where do we even take her..."
Avatar
"We should wake her up first, right?"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:33 PM
"Probably. I assume she's drugged or something."
6:34 PM
Shawn walks to a nearby bench and sets her down, then taps her on the shoulder a couple times
Avatar
She doesn’t wake up. Kite shakes her forcefully.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:36 PM
"I don't think that's going to work. She's probably drugged."
Avatar
"Where… Am I?" Maria wakes up slowly.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:36 PM
"Oh... Nevermind, I guess."
6:37 PM
"Hey, Maria. Remember us?"
Avatar
"Am I… Dead?" Maria. "Nope! Safe and sound, all thanks to us." Kite. "Oh…" Maria sounds disappointed.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:39 PM
"We're by the mountains. Going to head back to the city soon."
6:39 PM
"What happened to you? Last we heard, you got kidnapped."
Avatar
"…I did?" She’s shaking lightly.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:40 PM
"Uhh... Is that... not what happened?"
6:40 PM
"What's the last thing you remember?"
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She pauses for a long time. "Is this real life?"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:41 PM
"Probably."
6:42 PM
"Are you okay?"
Avatar
She pauses again. "Is she, uh… (ableist slur)?" Kite. "Hi, my name is Maria Stanley." Maria replies finally.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:46 PM
"Kite, don't say that!"
6:46 PM
"Hi, Maria. I'm S-I'm Beetle. This is Kite."
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"What! It’s true!" Kite. "I know who you are, Shawn… How can- How can I help you?" Maria stares at him pleadingly.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:48 PM
"We're the ones who are here to help you."
6:48 PM
He sits down with her
6:48 PM
"What's the last thing you remember?"
Avatar
Maria starts shaking more. "I don’t… I don’t want to remember." "Hang on, bro. I’ve got this." Kite confidently sits next to Maria, on the opposite side of Shawn. He wraps his arm around her, and holds her close. "You wanna help us? Then tell us what you remember! That’s how you make yourself useful!" "I…" She shakes even more.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:53 PM
"Kiiiite..." Shawn says disapprovingly but like not in a super serious voice
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"You’ve gotta use force!" Kite. "I wanted… To jump." Maria.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:55 PM
"You mean like... suicide?"
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"…" She stares intensely at the ground.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:57 PM
"It's okay now. Everything's okay."
6:57 PM
"We're here to protect you."
6:57 PM
"Kite, get your arm off of her."
Avatar
Kite refuses. "I’m not… real." Maria. "You feel pretty real to me." Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 6:59 PM
"You're real. You're right here with us."
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"…No. I’m not- I’m… I'm Maria Stanley." Maria.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 7:01 PM
"Why do you keep saying that?"
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"…" She stares at the ground. "I think… Somehow… Lelouch isn’t the worst thing that’s happened to her." Kite. "…Lelouch." Maria.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 7:03 PM
"Lelouch?"
Avatar
"I only exist to help others… And all I do is fail." Maria. "I can’t follow this at all!" Kite squeezes her, causing her to suffocate slightly.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 7:05 PM
"Kite, cut that out."
7:06 PM
"Maria... I know how you feel, maybe. I've done my best to help others, especially the guy hugging you right now, and... it hasn't always been successful."
7:06 PM
"It's hard. Helping people is hard."
7:07 PM
"But it's possible. I know it is. I've done it before."
7:07 PM
"You can do it. You can keep going. The world isn't all pointless."
Avatar
Kite looses up begrudgingly, and Maria coughs up painfully. "Stop being so dramatic." "I’m sorry…" She shakes.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 7:08 PM
"Don't be. It's okay."
7:09 PM
"Listen, we came here to help you. You don't have to do anything right now. We're here for you."
7:09 PM
"Let's take you back to the city, alright?"
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"No!" Maria screams, before returning to her usual voice. "…I’m sorry for yelling. I just- I… I only exist- I… I can’t live for me."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 7:13 PM
"..."
7:14 PM
"Who can you live for then?"
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"…Mom. That’s what I’m supposed to do." Maria. Kite forcefully grabs her again. "Well, forget your stupid mother! You’re with us now, got it? You live for me, simple as that! And I’m telling you to stop with the stupid nonsense and talk normally! You’re a member of Advehnt Guard now!"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 7:16 PM
"Kite!!!" (edited)
7:16 PM
"Calm down!!"
7:16 PM
"Can't you see she's hurt?"
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"You calm down, bro!" Kite. "Please don’t- Please don’t fight over me…" Maria.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 7:20 PM
Shawn ignores her "Let go of her, man. This isn't the time for this."
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"I’m handling it! Stop trying to replace me!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 7:21 PM
"I'm not trying to replace you! I'm trying to not hurt her!"
7:22 PM
"This isn't an interrogation!"
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"I’m not hurting her! I’m helping her! Step back and let me handle this!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 7:25 PM
"Ughhh..." Shawn facepalms
7:26 PM
"We can't fight right now. We need to help her."
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"That’s what I’m saying!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 7:27 PM
"So stop yelling!!!" (edited)
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"You’re the one yelling!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 7:29 PM
Shawn lays back in his chair
7:30 PM
"Why are you being so aggressive with her?"
7:30 PM
"She's literally shaking, Kite."
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"Because she’s not answering correctly! You gotta use force to discipline a kid!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 7:32 PM
"We're not disciplining her!!! We're here to help her!!"
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"Are you… Trying to use me too?" Maria. "Huh?" Kite looks at her. "Of course I am. That’s what I just said! If you wanna be a tool so bad, then you’re gonna be mine!"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 7:34 PM
"No?! What?!"
7:34 PM
"She's a civilian, Kite!"
7:36 PM
"Stop trying... Stop doing that! We're here to help her!"
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"I am helping her! Like I helped you! You gonna call me the villain there too? I made you!" Kite. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 7:40 PM
Shawn is quiet
7:41 PM
"You didnt do... Whatever this is to me."
7:41 PM
"..." Shawn is frustrated
Avatar
"I’m sorry… But I don’t think I can help you. Because… I’m not real." Maria. "Heh…" Kite stands up on the bench confidently. "Who the hell do you think I am? That’s even better! Cause I hate real girls with a passion, so a fake one's even better to me! Just imagine… A real life waifu. I can shape her into whatever I want and she can never complain! Every hero’s gotta have one! Right, bro?"
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 7:47 PM
Shawn stares at Kite with pure disgust
7:48 PM
"Kite, I- You- What the fuck."
7:49 PM
"She's not one of us, Kite. She doesn't have any powers. Do you really want to bring her into this just to... to date her!?"
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"Yeah, I- I can’t do anything… I can’t help you." Maria. "Eh, that’s fine! You’ve just gotta stand there and look pretty! All the greatest heroes need a token woman in there somewhere. Even Superman and Batman let Wonder Woman tag along sometimes. It’s an empowerment thing for you to motivate us." Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 7:54 PM
"Kite, you can't do this. We're heros. We help people. The bad guys use people."
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"She’s the one asking to be used!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 7:55 PM
"She's traumatized!"
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"So am I! So's everyone we help! That’s why I’m giving her what she wants!" Kite. "I’m not… I’m not traumatized." Maria.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 8:02 PM
"Stop trying to bring her into this! We're protecting her, and nothing more!"
8:02 PM
"Advent Guard is a duo!"
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"We talked about this before! Advehnt Guard should have tons of members! Hundreds and thousands of us all saving the day together! Well... Not that many, but like the masquerade thieves!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 8:12 PM
"You can't just bring people in randomly!"
8:12 PM
"That's... you're..."
8:12 PM
"You're talking like Lilian now!"
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"Shut up! No I'm not!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 8:15 PM
"Taking traumatized kids and giving them a team to play on, using them for our own intrests..."
8:16 PM
"That's not what we should be doing! That's what they do! We're better then that!"
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"I'm not traumatized..." Maria. "It's not our own interests! We're saving people! That is better than them!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 8:19 PM
"Lilian seemed to think she was saved too."
8:19 PM
"If you wanna keep going with this, why not get white suits ourselves!"
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"Shut up! You're just trying to split us up so you can go help Lelouch, aren't you?" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 8:24 PM
"You're the one who's not making any sense! Lelouch, the white suits... theyre manipulators! That's what seperates us from them. We don't use people! We care for them!"
8:24 PM
"That's what makes us heros!"
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"I am caring for her!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 8:25 PM
"You're ignoring her interests!"
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"I'm listening to them! You're ignoring them!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 8:27 PM
"You're projecting!"
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"You're projecting! I'm heroing!" Kite. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 8:32 PM
"Ugh....." Shawn shakes his head "This is going nowhere. Okay, can we just go back to the city. We've been here for too long."
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"You know this is what she wants, anyway. She hung out with that gross girl Lelouch. Now she's getting the real experience with a man." Kite. "Lelouch..." Maria. "Stop saying that so ominously! What is it about Lelouch!" Kite. "Her... perfume." Maria. "She doesn't smell that nice." Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 8:34 PM
Shawn alarms
8:34 PM
"You... She..."
8:35 PM
"Maria, how long ago did she hit you with... that."
Avatar
"Last week..." Maria. "Hit her with what?" Kite. "Lelouch has... A perfume. And... When you smell it... You fall in love with her. You can't... You can't do anything against her. Because you love her too much not to." Maria. "So..." Kite pauses. "You wouldn't normally be in love with other girls?"
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 8:39 PM
"Don't call it love. It's not that. It's more of... a compulsion. A hunger."
8:40 PM
"That's Lelouch's secret, Kite. That's why she has such a following. That's... The cause of everything that happened yesterday."
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"...Heh, I knew it. No way a terrible girl like her could ever do anything on her own." Kite smirks.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 8:48 PM
"Remember when I made you wear a gas mask yesterday? That's why."
8:49 PM
"What did she make you do while you were under?"
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"Nothing... She just... She just showed me how useless I really am." Maria.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 8:51 PM
"Anything she told you, she lied, okay. She's a manipulator and a bastard."
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"Bro... Who told you to find Maria?"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 8:53 PM
Shawn doesnt say anything
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"Answer me!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 8:54 PM
"I... I'm not doing this for her, okay. I'm doing this for me. I'm a hero. I'm saving someone."
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"But she did send you, didn't she?" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 8:55 PM
"She told me to save her, so I am. I'm not letting her fall into the hands of another manipulative bastard. That's what matters to me."
8:55 PM
"I tried to tell you. I couldn't. Once you get ordered, you can't not do it. It's a compulsion."
Avatar
Kite smirks and then laughs maniacally.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 8:56 PM
"I don't love her! I hate her! More then anything!"
8:57 PM
"I don't even like girls!"
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"I don't care about that, bro! Just shut up, I'm planning something!"
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 8:58 PM
Shawn turns to Maria
8:59 PM
"Is that why you're like this. Because of... What she did to you?"
Avatar
Maria doesn't answer. "Bro... Tell Lelouch Maria's coming back. The meeting spot? The old Edlightenment building. Don't tell her anything else." Kite. (edited)
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:05 PM
"What's your plan? Ambush her there?"
Avatar
"You don't get to know, you'll just tell her. Just send her the message and I'll handle everything." Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:08 PM
"Are you sure about this? She's gunning for you too, yknow."
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"It's fine. ...I know her trick now." Kite.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:09 PM
"Okay."
9:09 PM
"The gas mask should make you immune to it. Keep that on you whenever you're around her."
9:10 PM
"Whatever you do, don't get hit by it."
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"I know! Stop bossing me around and do what I tell you!" Kite.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:11 PM
"Sorry..."
9:11 PM
Shawn pulls out his phone and messages Lelouch
9:12 PM
"When do you want to do this? Today? Tommorow?"
Avatar
"Now!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:14 PM
"Okay...."
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"Did you do it?" Kite.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:16 PM
"Yeah, it's done."
9:16 PM
"No idea if she'll respond. Or when."
Avatar
"Alright, now call us a taxi. Just me and Maria, you get your own." Kite.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:18 PM
"I'm not leaving you alone with her."
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"Yes, you are! Because you can't be trusted around Lelouch and I need her!" Kite.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:22 PM
"Im taking a cab with you to near the edlightment building, and then ill leave. I'm not going to leave you alone."
9:22 PM
"You two can walk there" (edited)
Avatar
"Ugh, fine. But you're going back to the station, you can't stay." Kite groans.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:24 PM
"I wouldn't ever willingly talk to Lelouch unless I had to."
Avatar
"...Just call the cab already!" Kite.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:25 PM
"Jeez" Shawn calls a cab
9:26 PM
"You wanted to be helpful, Maria? Looks like you're about to be."
Avatar
"..." Maria looks down at the floor. "Come on, smile a little more! You get to be the waifu of the ultimate gamer!" Kite scoffs confidently. Maria forces the most miserable smile imaginable.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:28 PM
Shawn is incredibly annoyed by that
Avatar
The taxi arrives. Kite shoves Maria inside and sits next to her afterwards.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:29 PM
Shawn sits next to Kite
9:29 PM
There's nowhere else to sit.
Avatar
"Drive!" He yells to the taxi driver, with 0 elaboration.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:29 PM
"The old edlightment building, please."
Avatar
The driver looks up the location and starts driving. "One for the climactic fight!" Kite suddenly kisses Maria. She looks absolutely panicked.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:31 PM
Shawn punches Kite in the face
9:31 PM
"Are you fucking kidding me right now?!"
Avatar
"Hey! What the hell!?" Kite. Maria covers her ears, panicked.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:32 PM
"Really? REALLY?"
9:32 PM
"What the fuck is wrong with you."
Avatar
"She's my waifu! She agreed!" Kite.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:33 PM
Shawn punches him again "Be fucking serious, Kite. Do you know what you just did?"
Avatar
"It's a kiss! Stop being jealous! If you asked her, I bet she'd let you do the same!" Kite.
Avatar
Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:34 PM
Shawn is fuming
9:35 PM
"Do you... Are you for real? Right now? Are you serious?"
Avatar
"What!?" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:35 PM
"Stop the car." Shawn says to the driver
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"Don’t stop it!" Kite. "I can't stop on this road anyway." The driver.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:38 PM
"I still have bruise marks, Kite. From when you assulted me."
9:38 PM
"Is that how you show that you like someone?"
9:40 PM
"Or did you stop liking me the second I stopped being useful to you. Am I just your toy?"
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Maria starts actively shaking at this. "No! I was just pissed at you because you betrayed me! I’m not gonna hurt someone who doesn’t deserve it! I’m a hero!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:40 PM
"You just did! Just now!"
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"It’s a kiss! Who doesn’t want a kiss! You’re clearly scaring her!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:41 PM
"You just sexually assaulted her!"
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"It’s just a kiss!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:42 PM
"God fucking damn it. What is your problem, man?"
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"What’s your problem? Why’ve you gotta be so jealous?" Kite. "I-I liked it… So please… Please stop fighting." Maria lies transparently. "See?" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:44 PM
"Howard was right about you..." Shawn mumbles (edited)
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"Can’t you see that Lelouch is doing this to you? She got her seductive tendrils into your brain and made you some pathetic cuck simp." From the way Kite says these words, he probably doesn’t even know what they mean. "You gotta break free of her girly brainwashing."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/22/2023 9:47 PM
"What Lelouch did to me is... It's got nothing to do with this, okay. Like I said, I'm not in love with her. I don't like girls!"
9:48 PM
"But getting all mentally fucked up by her hasn't made me lose my most basic morality!"
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"It’s just a kiss!" Kite pauses, before frowning. "And it… It wasn’t even that good of a kiss, anyways."
9:50 PM
((End session here sorry))
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((Saturday))
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"It’s just a kiss!" Kite pauses, before frowning. "And it… It wasn’t even that good of a kiss, anyways."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 2:23 PM
"Just a kiss?!!? What the fuck are you talking about, man?"
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"In her shoes, I’d be cheering if I got kissed by such a cool guy!"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 2:35 PM
"You are such a fucking asshole."
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"What the hell, bro? You sold me out to Lelouch, you don’t get to play high and mighty!"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 2:37 PM
"I didn't fucking sell you out. I was made to do shit, it was against my will. And even then, every single thing I've done under her influence has been me trying to resist it as much as I possibly can."
2:38 PM
"I was working with you! I got you the gas mask, didn't I?"
2:39 PM
"But you... You're assaulting random people and trying to start cults willingly. No mind control gas, no nothing."
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"It’s not a cult! If anything, it’s a cult of personality… And one I’m pretty much owed." Kite smirks, but there’s none of his usual confidence in it.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 2:41 PM
"Every cult is a cult of personality!!!"
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"Not once they see how much better I am!" Kite. Maria covers her ears in distress.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 2:45 PM
“If you can’t see how the thing you just did is awful, I don’t think you were ever a hero in the first place.”
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"What the hell is your problem, dude? We’re heroes! We save people! How does 1 kiss to my waifu invalidate that?" Kite. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 3:10 PM
"She's not your fucking waifu, dude. She's a random civilian. We can't treat her like this."
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"She agreed!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 3:13 PM
"That's not something you just agree to, you idiot!"
3:13 PM
"Unless she has powers like us, she is not part of our group! There's a power imbalance!"
3:13 PM
"And that means you can't just do whatever you want!!!!"
3:14 PM
"We're the good guys, Kite!! Doing good for them is what seperates us from the white suits!"
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"Fine! We’ll find Ehn and give her a power. Problem solved!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 3:16 PM
"This isn't fucking retroactive, Kite. You assulted a civilian!!"
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"I didn’t hit her, I just hit on her! That’s not assault!"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 3:18 PM
Shawn puts his face in his hands "It's like you didn't even play Masquerade V..."
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"I did play it!" Kite points to Maria. "She’s empowered by being my waifu."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 3:23 PM
"Sexual assault is still assault, Kite. It's worse!"
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"None of that was sexual! And she didn’t complain, did she?"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 3:27 PM
Shawn looks at Maria, who is currently shivering and covering her ears and scared out of her mind
3:28 PM
"Do you really, really, like, legitimatly think that she is in the right state of mind to consent right now."
3:28 PM
"Fucking look at her. I know you're half-blind but your other eye still works."
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"That’s because you’re yelling! What kind of girl wouldn’t be scared of that? They’re sensitive!"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 3:30 PM
"She was like this before I started yelling. In fact, she started being like this when you decided to grab her by the arm!" (edited)
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"I fixed her! If I didn’t force it out, she never would’ve told us anything!"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 3:32 PM
"I can't fucking believe this..."
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"Ask her yourself! You’ll see!"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 3:39 PM
"You're impossible, Kite."
3:40 PM
"Ugh..."
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"You’re impossible! You’re the one who doesn’t want good things coming my way!"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 3:45 PM
"I don't not want.... Ugh, oh my god. The thing you just did is awful. Like, without a doubt. I can't believe that you're too caught up in yourself to see that."
3:45 PM
"This isn't a fucking debate, Kite."
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"Ask her yourself!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 3:48 PM
"Her opinion does not matter here. This isn't about her, it's about you."
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"Of course it’s about me! And I said it’s just a kiss! If I kissed you, would you whine like a baby? No, it’s a bro thing."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 3:51 PM
"This isn't fucking- I- This- She-"
3:51 PM
Shawn is angry and flustered
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"See? It makes perfect sense."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 4:22 PM
"You're such an asshole."
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"You just keep insulting me! I made you, bro!"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 4:24 PM
"What, does that make me the first member of your new cult?"
4:24 PM
"Or wait. You had someone before me, didn't you?"
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"That’s… This isn’t a cult, okay? It was clever wordplay. I’m not starting a cult or anything. That’s what villains do."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 4:27 PM
"If it's not a cult, it's only not a cult in name only"
4:29 PM
"If you want Advent Guard to be an organization with thousands of members, all of whom follow your perfect idea of justice while doing the terrible shit you're doing now, you should at the very least be honest and call it a cult."
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"The masquerade thieves have tons of members! That’s not a cult!"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 4:34 PM
"The masquerade thieves did none of the shit I just said that you're doing!"
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"Yes they did! I’m like joker in real life!"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 4:37 PM
"No. You know what you are, Kite? You're that one random NPC who's like a wannabe Joker. You're too much of a fucking asshole to ever be him." (edited)
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Kite pushes Shawn out of the moving car.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 4:40 PM
"Shit- YOU ASSHOLE!"
4:41 PM
Shawn hits the ground harmlessly.
4:41 PM
His phone was in his left pocket, and he landed on his right side. It's probably not damaged. Shawn fishes it out
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It’s unharmed.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 4:42 PM
Shawn can't believe he's doing this, but he messages Lelouch Maoziwam
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Shawn is currently in Avengard at this point. The police station isn’t far.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 4:46 PM
Ugh... Am I really doing this? I can't just... I'm not going to have to work with her, am I? Should I even tell her about this? (edited)
4:47 PM
Maria was hurt by Lelouch the same way I was... So I don't know if I can turn to her. But she is not safe at all with Kite... (edited)
4:49 PM
I promised Ourobouros that I would keep her safe... Well, I promised Kite that I'd never betray him
4:50 PM
Look how well that turned out.
4:55 PM
No, that's not... It isn't my fault he did that. He's always been like that. He's always been this dumb cocky idiot, rushing into things before thinking about them. How many of our adventures go wrong because he decided to not think things through!? That's why Rumen escaped. That's what happened at Carolyn's place. It's how he lost his ear.
4:55 PM
I've done so much for him. Everything I possibly could. And... this is what I get?! Nothing more then a passing acknowledgement as he moves on to a new toy!? (edited)
4:56 PM
Am I even the first one? Lillian mentioned another bro of his. Maybe I'm just the replacement for someone else.
4:58 PM
Lelouch, change of plan. Kite has taken Maria and is planning on ambushing you at the old Edlightment building. Plan accordingly. You have to stop him
4:58 PM
Shawn has this message typed in his phone, but he hasn't pressed send yet.
5:04 PM
Maybe that was the advantage Kite brought to him. Kite always knew exactly what he was doing. He knew right from wrong. Shawn struggles a lot with that. In a moment of crisis, he'll always freeze up. That's why he can't save anyone, why he's a failure of a superhero. He's a sidekick, at the end of the day. Either to Kite, or to Lelouch
5:05 PM
But Kite is a fucking huge asshole!!! Both of them are!! I'm not just getting manipulated by them. I'm not just here to get manipulated by them. I'm my own fucking person!! Howard Scott said that, didn't he? That I'm the better hero? That I don't need him?
5:06 PM
Shawn thinks back to the last time he wasn't with Kite. That meandering, floundering day when Shawn failed completely at stopping any kind of crime, even though it was the biggest case they'd seen so far. How the only thing Shawn felt that whole day was a desperate longing for Kite, in his endless failed attempts to find him
5:10 PM
Shawn thinks about how, even though Kite was horribly abusive to him that day, he gladly took it as long as it was what Kite wanted of him. Was he more comfortable taking abuse from Kite then he was with his daily miasma?
5:15 PM
That's... I can't accept that. I cared a lot about Kite because he's the one who brought me into this. Because he's the one who made me who I am now. But now that I can actually see this side of him, I realize that he's a fucking huge prick. He's in the same position that I am, but totally fucking blind (or half blind ahahahha) and just doing whatever the fuck he wants. Maybe I liked him before, but only as a symbol. Only as a thing that represented this whole path of justice. He isn't that, and he's never been that, and I've been a total idiot for seeing him that way!
5:16 PM
Shawn thinks about yesterday. When Lelouch invaded his home, and tore apart his family. When he couldn't escape her. The only real worry of his was "How can I keep Kite safe? How can I prevent him from coming to harm?"
5:17 PM
If I had known what I know now, I would've let Lelouch...
5:17 PM
Would he, have? Really? Can Shawn really deny the earnest feelings he has?
5:17 PM
...
5:19 PM
Shawn Duveldt wants self-determination, but Shawn Duveldt doesn't know the first thing about himself. What do I want? Why do I do the things I do?
5:20 PM
I do what I do for justice. That's what I care about. That's what seperates me from the white suits, from Lelouch, and from Kite.
5:20 PM
Do I even know what justice means?
5:26 PM
It's not like Kite knew what justice is, though. He pretended to, maybe, but it was just more selfishness. Just more weird trauma replication, just like what Lillian did. That police officer, Jessica James, she thinks she knows what justice is, and it's the law. She's wrong about that all the same. The law isn't absolute.
5:27 PM
At least Howard has the balls to admit he doesn't know. That he just does stuff for the hell of it, and because he enjoys it. I admire that about him... but I can't agree
5:27 PM
That doesn't help me. It doesn't bring me any closer to the answer.
5:31 PM
There isn't an answer
5:31 PM
I know that! But I can't just be a superhero without having an answer. Kite had one. It was so easy to follow him
5:32 PM
I can't go back to doing that now. Not unless I really suck up to him (edited)
5:32 PM
Which I can't do. It's too late for that.
5:33 PM
Am I just going to be stuck again? Like I was before I met him?
5:33 PM
Or am I in too deep for that. (edited)
5:38 PM
If I want to do justice, I don't have time to figure out a coherent ideology. I need to look towards the problems happening now, and solve them
5:39 PM
Maria is in danger. Either from Kite, or from Lelouch.
5:39 PM
I promised Ouroboros I'd keep her safe. I'm not going to break that promise
5:39 PM
She's a victim of both of them, just like me. But she doesn't have the powers I have.
5:40 PM
Still, I'll need help.
5:40 PM
I heads to the police station as fast as I can (edited)
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Howard Scott and Jessica James are there.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 5:43 PM
I am panting from running so much (edited)
5:43 PM
"Hey... I... I need help..."
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"What now?" Howard.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 5:44 PM
"Maria Stanley, that girl..."
5:44 PM
"We found her, but she's traumatized. She needs help."
5:46 PM
"But... Kite decided to go crazy and... Well, he got real possessive of her."
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"Do we look like social workers?" James. "I warned you he wasn’t stable." Howard.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 5:46 PM
"We got in a really bad fight over it, and he kicked me out of our cab."
5:47 PM
to Howard "Yeah, yeah, I should've listened."
5:47 PM
to James "You're cops, right? I'm reporting a kidnapping."
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"I hate to break it to you, but we can’t exactly fight your pattern. But at the very least… Don’t fight him today." Howard.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 5:48 PM
"I know where Kite is going to be. He'll be meeting up with Lelouch at the old Edlightment building. I've been contemplating on letting Lelouch know about this, but right now, she has no idea."
5:49 PM
"What?"
5:49 PM
"Why not?"
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"We need him to help stop Johnner. You’ve gotta think big picture. You can tell him whatever you want tomorrow, but if you 2 aren’t cooperating tonight Johnner’s gonna make it out just fine. And then we’ll have much bigger problems." Howard.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 5:53 PM
"What?"
5:53 PM
"No, I'm... You can't rely on him."
5:53 PM
"He's not going to help."
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"Look, kid… Honestly, I don’t believe you for a second. I’ve got no faith you’re giving me a clear picture, considering your massive switch up. But that’s none of my concern. I gave you a chance to kick him out. You didn’t take it. So right now, you made your bed to lie on. You can’t just back out of everything when your whims change. This life’s a commitment." Howard.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 5:58 PM
"Not a clear picture?!"
5:58 PM
"I'll give you a clear picture. He sexully assulted her!"
5:59 PM
"She is not safe as long as shes with him."
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"We’ll work something out. But calm down and keep it until after the mission. He’s not just gonna drag her into a fight against Jeff Johnner. So she’ll be safe for that mission. Whatever happens after that… Happens." Howard.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 6:11 PM
"She's... She's not going to be safe. It's either Kite falls flat on his ass like he always does and she's with Lelouch, or Kite succeeds for once and she's with him."
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"Don’t worry. We’ll smooth something over when we pick him up for the mission." He grabs his coat. "Just don’t fight with him about it. The rebellious types tend to just do whatever people tell them not to even more. It’s basic psychology."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 6:14 PM
"I don't think you're... Look, if the only thing you care about is this Johnner mission, then this is jeapordizing it! He does not give a shit about it, I promise. He won't prioritize it over his new kidnapped girlfriend."
6:14 PM
"Stopping him is your best bet."
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"Again… I don’t place much faith in the words of emotional children. I’ll see it for myself." He starts walking out. "Come with me though. If he really is that unstable, I’d like to not get myself killed here."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 6:17 PM
"Where are you... Are you going to him?"
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"Haven’t you been paying attention?"
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 6:26 PM
"Sorry, I'm confused"
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"We’re going to pick him up. Come on."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 6:28 PM
"Okay."
6:28 PM
I go along with what someone says, again (edited)
6:28 PM
"What about Lelouch?"
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"I’ll handle it."
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 6:35 PM
"Are you sure? She's extremely dangerous."
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"At worst, I’ll call Kingsley over." Howard.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 6:40 PM
"What's he going to do?"
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"We’ll see." Howard walks out.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 7:00 PM
I follow, though I hate doing that (edited)
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James watches them leave. Howard gets in a police car.
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Shawn Duveldt 7/29/2023 7:08 PM
I get into the passenger seat
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((No session this week))
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((No session this week))
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((Saturday))
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Howard drives.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 1:29 PM
I contemplate messaging Lelouch, but then I rethink it. The two possible results of those two fighting are either Lelouch loses and Kite wins, or Kite wins and Lelouch loses. Both of them aren't my allies anymore, really, so if one of them beats the other it'll make things easier. Taking either of them down isn't going to be easy. Lelouch still has his brain for at least a few more days. And Kite.... He's...
1:30 PM
"Goddammit."
1:30 PM
Whatever. Maria is the real issue here. She's in danger. If I'm going to keep that promise to Ouroboros, I need to keep her safe.
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"Keep your chin up."
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 1:31 PM
Shawn leans back into his chair and slumps his head into the back of the seat "I saved his life yesterday. Twice. Why can't... Why doesn't he listen to me?"
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"Arrogance? Seems like a rebellious spirit at heart. I doubt he’s the type to chain himself down to anyone else."
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 1:34 PM
...
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"Of course, I’m no different in that sense. But I’ve got the brains to back it up."
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 1:35 PM
"Does it not get lonely?"
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"Lonely? What the hell does that mean?"
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 1:36 PM
"Like... I don't know. Affection and shit."
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"I’m not a child anymore. I don’t need anyone in my life who doesn’t make themselves useful. You’ll find that it’s a useful policy in not making the stupidest mistakes of your life."
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 1:38 PM
"..."
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"…I did have a guy once, though. Very… Uptight son of a bitch. Thought he had all the answers and yet none of them ever seemed to align. Like some kind of giddy child I loved him, but hey… That’s the life… He’s the guy I make my biggest mistakes for."
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 1:43 PM
"...I'm surprised to hear that you loved anyone once."
1:43 PM
"I guess I'm in the same boat."
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / lelouch-maoziwam
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The cop is knocked out on the floor. Kite is standing over him, in full costume, and holding the crowbar. He shuts the door and turns on the light. "Ha. Gotcha."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/7/2023 4:43 PM
"Fucking goddammit."
4:44 PM
Lelouch looks to see if Maria is still there.
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Maria is still there. "I win, Lelouch. This is the end." Kite.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/7/2023 4:49 PM
"Maria, are you okay? He didn't hurt you, did he? If he did, I'll kill him." She says, ignoring Kite.
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"I didn’t hurt her, I just helped her! As soon as that perfume of yours wore off, she ran straight into my arms! I knew you were faking it somehow, no way 2 girls could stay together! So she’s my waifu now!" Kite. Maria looks terrified.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/7/2023 4:55 PM
Lelouch turns around "Hell no! Maria'd never stay with a guy like you. She's with me, right, Maria?"
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She just starts shaking more. "See? She’s terrified of you!"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/7/2023 4:58 PM
"Or maybe she's terrified of your ugly face!"
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Kite swings the crowbar near Lelouch's feet. It easily breaks through the concrete floor without any difficulty. "Stop pretending you’re winning. This is my hero speech!"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/7/2023 5:04 PM
Lelouch took a step back, though not far enough to bump into Maria. "Fine! Fine. Okay, go ahead."
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"9 years ago, my parents died in this building. They were all I ever had! And they were killed by Carolyn Blythe. Because of her, I was left all alone in this world."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/7/2023 5:07 PM
"...So why don't you go and kill her-"
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"I tried! And I’m gonna try again later! The point is… After that, I finally found someone else. My bro. And you took him away from me! You used your perfume, didn’t you!? Like her, you took everything from me!"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/7/2023 5:12 PM
"Seems like you're not coping hard enough. The perfume wears off as exampled by Maria. Just be a normal person and wait it out if you're that attached to a man. Why you would be, I don't understand, BUT there's no reason to drag good women like Maria into this!"
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“I’m protecting her from you! Because you’re a villain!"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/7/2023 5:13 PM
"Okay, Mr. Crowbar."
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"My name is Kite!"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/7/2023 5:15 PM
"Fitting. A dumb name for a dumb man." She rolls her eyes. "So, Maria, you ready to go? I can hotwire the car and you can drive!"
5:15 PM
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"When you took him for me… I decided all on my own to live just to hate you! But today that ends!" Kite charges at Lelouch.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/7/2023 5:17 PM
Lelouch dives out the way.
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((Roll))
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/7/2023 5:17 PM
Man...fkn gay people.
5:17 PM
(D20 right)
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((Correct))
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/7/2023 5:17 PM
fuck a 9 😭)
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Lelouch is tackled onto the ground. He holds the crowbar up to her throat. "It’s Advehnt Guard against the world. And I don’t need you in my world anymore!"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/7/2023 5:20 PM
"AH- FUCKING...BITCH." She recoils from the tackle.
5:21 PM
Lelouch tries to push Kite off.
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((Roll))
5:22 PM
"Come on! Beg for your life!" Kite. (edited)
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/7/2023 5:23 PM
19 motherfuckerrrr)
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Lelouch pushes him off.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/9/2023 6:35 PM
"Finally." She dusts off. "Fucking asshole." Lelouch looks to Maria, shouting, "Maria! Get to the exit! Go wait inside the police car, steal the cop's keys or something and lock yourself in until I come and get you!"
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"Maria! Stay there! You’re with me now!" Kite kicks Lelouch in the chest. Maria starts to move and then stops to just shake in place.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/9/2023 6:38 PM
"AH, YOU BITCH!" She recoils from the kick. "MARIA! DON'T LISTEN TO MEN! THEY KNOW NOTHING!" Lelouch kicks Kite back.
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((Roll))
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/9/2023 6:40 PM
(16)
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Lelouch successfully kicks Kite. "Damn it, you bitch! I’m not gonna let you take anything from me ever again!" Kite grabs Lelouch and throws her as hard as he can against the wall. It doesn’t do much.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/9/2023 6:42 PM
"Hah, you throw like a LOSER! Fitting for your DUMB name!" She taunts, before shouting to Maria: "RUN! WHO KNOWS WHAT HE'S DUMB ENOUGH TO DO!"
6:43 PM
(maybe i should hit him)
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Kite swings the crowbar at Lelouch’s head.
6:43 PM
((Roll to dodge))
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/9/2023 6:44 PM
(ow 8)
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Kite's crowbar hits the ceiling behind her, while he uses her attempt at ducking to stomp his foot strongly on her back. Lelouch is knocked to the ground while the wall collapses onto her legs. It hurts like hell.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/9/2023 6:49 PM
She lets out a strained, "fuckin g men"
6:49 PM
Lelouch tries to push some of the debris off her leg.
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The rubble is heavy, and Kite stepping on her back prevents her from reaching the rubble with her arms, while her legs are too weak to remove it either. Kite lets out a victorious laugh. "Now you’re gonna face the real world. Mine! I’m gonna pull you off your tower of delusion and special privilege until you’re walking among us commoners… And then I’m gonna make you carry me right up there to my throne!"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/9/2023 6:59 PM
Lelouch lets out a loud, "FUCK YOU AND YOUR-" huff of death "BITCH ASS HEROISM."
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"Aww… Is that the best the mighty Lelouch can do?" Kite laughs, then snaps his fingers. "Maria, say it." Maria begins staring at a spot in the air as if reading a nonexistent script. Her voice is monotone and lifeless like her expression. "I hate you, Lelouch Maoziwam. From the bottom of my heart I despise everything about you. You’re a villain, a murderer, and a spoiled brat. I want you to die a thousand miserable deaths while the world mocks your loss. You forced me to love you, but I hate you. I hate you so, so, so, so, much. You don’t care about me. You just wanted to use me. You just needed an object to feel better than… To pity. And you chose me. So it’s your fault… That I’m broken. Because you never really cared about me at all. And for that… Kite here… He really wants me that that’s his name… He’s going to break you too." She starts crying slightly but nothing else about her tone changers. "…Was that okay?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 2:09 PM
"Maria..." Lelouch says, slightly disheartened, before trying to wriggle Kite off of her. "You made her say that! You bastard! Get the fuck off of me!"
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"Nuh-uh! You’re mine now!" Kite.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 2:11 PM
"Maria! Run away! You don't have to listen to him! Snap out of it!" Lelouch calls out.
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Maria is frozen in place. "If you don’t listen, I’m just gonna kill you. Is that what you want?" Kite.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 2:24 PM
DAMMIT)
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 2:33 PM
"Maria! Don't listen to him!" Lelouch calls. She glances around the area, is there something she can use to get Kite off of her back or progress the story?
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((Roll))
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 2:35 PM
(18!)
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"See, when I kissed her earlier it didn’t feel good at all. It’s my first kiss with a girl, and it felt so dull… That’s when I realized the problem!" He smirks. "I didn’t earn it! You broke her for me already, so I didn’t even have to do any work! I’ve gotta work towards what I want." He leans in closer to Lelouch’s head. "You took everything from me, Lelouch. So I’m gonna make you give me everything you have… And pay it all back!" Lelouch’s hands reach a small enough piece of rubble to be used as a weapon. "If you wanna live… Kiss me." Kite.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 2:39 PM
(THAT WAS A JOKE 😭 SORRY)
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 3:02 PM
"K...Kiss you?" She says, trying to stall as to allow her to assess to situation. Can she hit him from her?
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She might be able to.
3:03 PM
"Yeah! Come on, you know you want to!"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 3:04 PM
If he got closer, she'd be able to hit him, right? She could use this degenerate's CLEAR desperation to her advantage.
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Likely.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 3:05 PM
"...Fine. Get real close, can't really kiss you from this angle, y'know?" She says through gritted teeth. She just needs him in the right position.
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"Nah… You’ve gotta ask more politely. And make the face too. The uh… The kissing one." Kite.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 3:08 PM
"The kissing one?" She says with disgust, before quickly clearing her throat. "I don't really know what you mean, can you show me?" She plays dumb. (edited)
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"Like this, duh." Kite pulls Maria in and kisses her. She reciprocates the kiss blankly, like he’s kissing a lifeless doll.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 3:11 PM
Lelouch wants to gag. "Oh...I see." She says, feeling her stomach churn. Fucking. Men.* *She puckers her lips, but keeps her eyes open. She is not about to let fucking Kite of all men kiss her.
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"What about the asking politely part, huh?" Kite.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 3:13 PM
"...Please. Kiss. Me." She says through gritted teeth. This is taking up all of her fucking willpower and it is clear. (edited)
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"Sorry, what was that? You’re too quiet!" He laughs confidently. "It’s time for me to break through the glass floor, so you’ve gotta make it a little louder. Us gamers are riding up here."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 3:16 PM
"Please kiss me." She says, more clearly. Her hand is fucking gripping that rubble.
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"Don’t mind if I do." He steps off Lelouch and tries to kiss her. The front door opens behind him, as Jade stealthily creeps in. Ehn is on her shoulder.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 3:17 PM
Lelouch aims to hit Kite on the head. She'll have a quip if it goes through.
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((Roll))
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 3:18 PM
(14)
3:18 PM
PLEASE hit)
3:19 PM
HE DESERVES IT)
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Kite is hit in the head. "Ow- What the hell!?"
3:19 PM
He stumbles back.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 3:19 PM
"THAT'S FOR KISSING MARIA AGAINST HER WILL, BITCH!"
3:20 PM
She'd try to throw the rubble at him. I mean if she can't hit him, might as well try long distance.
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"I knew you planted that thought in my bro's head! She definitely agreed, she said so afterwards!" Kite. ((Roll))
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 3:22 PM
(four SOB)
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It misses. "Ha! You missed!" Kite. "…Or maybe she was just distracting you." Jade smugly sprays Kite with perfume from behind.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 3:23 PM
FUCK YES)
3:23 PM
WE GOT HIM BOYS!!!!!!
3:27 PM
"Jade! Help me get this wall off my leg! You too, Kite." She spits out Kite's name.
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Kite and Jade pull the rubble off Lelouch. It still hurts, so Jade helps Lelouch stand.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 3:30 PM
"Now, Kite, don't move while me and Jade make sure Maria's okay." Lelouch glares daggers into Kite as she turns to Jade. "Jade, can you help me to Maria?"
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"Whatever you say, girl-who-I-love." Kite's tone of voice is so far from his usual hero voice it sounds almost mocking. "Alright." Jade helps Lelouch over to Maria who is just standing there.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 3:39 PM
"Maria? You alright?" Lelouch asks, concerned. "Kite's not an issue anymore, you're safe."
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"…Hi. My name is Maria Stanley. How can I help you?" Maria replies robotically.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 3:40 PM
"Kite, what'd you do?!"
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"Nothing, she was already like this. I just used it to get a real life waifu." Kite. "Creep." Jade.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 3:42 PM
"Hm...Jade, maybe try spraying her? Maybe we can override whatever's making her all...roboty."
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"Got it." Jade sprays Maria. "Listen to everything Ms Lelouch says." "Understood." Maria.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/10/2023 3:44 PM
"Maria, what happened to you? Who did this?"
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Maria starts shaking intensely. "…You did. H-He did. Mom did… Everyone- Everyone wants me to be theirs. I don’t- I don’t know who I am…" "You’re Ms Lelouch’s." Jade ends the debate.
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((Saturday))
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"You’re Ms Lelouch’s." Jade ends the debate.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 2:14 PM
"Well, I couldn't have done this. I'm GOOD for you!" Lelouch shakes her head. "Well, be happy I've rescued you then." (edited)
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"Alright… I’m happy." Maria. "Well, that’s solved then. You’re welcome." Ehn.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 2:18 PM
"Good. Now," she turns away from Maria, facing Ehn. "Why're you here?"
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"She told me where you were after I was let out." Jade. "See? I saved the day!" Ehn smiles. "Can you imagine how horrible this story would’ve been if Kite just continued uninterrupted?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 2:22 PM
"Right. Thank you, cat." Lelouch gives Ehn a quick nod and a small smile, before looking at Jade. "Now, are you alright? They didn't hurt you too badly, did they?"
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"I’m fine, thank you." Jade brings Lelouch back to Kite. "But what do we do with him? It has to hurt even more than what he did to you!"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 2:26 PM
"Well..." Lelouch thonks.
2:27 PM
"We could use Kite's crowbar to do what he did to me; hit the wall and make it collapse on him."
2:28 PM
"Or maybe have him tell Shawn he hates him, if we want to go for a more emotional aspect."
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"Ha, like either of those would bother me." Kite scoffs. "Then tell us what would!" Jade. "I’d be so bothered if a cute girl kissed me." Kite.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 2:31 PM
"Eugh. Even when he's harmless he's disgusting."
2:33 PM
"Do you have any ideas on how to get back at him?"
2:33 PM
She asks Jade.
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"Well, I am pretty cute." Jade smiles. "But I’d never want a man's lips on mine. Maybe we could make him beg more? Or maybe praise you? This kind of thickheaded man seems hard to hurt, since he’s too stupid to feel pain." "Ha… Is that really what you think?" Kite.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 2:36 PM
Lelouch 🤨s. "What do you mean by that?"
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"Didn’t I tell you earlier? I’m a hero. I thrive in pain, struggle, difficult times. A guy like me's built to get beat up time after time and just get a power up before things start looking too bad. No matter how much you hurt me, you’ll never compare to the hells I’ve been through. Rich kid living up in the high tower, everything handed to her on a silver platter. Even when your family dies, you can’t even do that right. You live for joy, I live for pain. That’s what puts us so far at odds. And why you can never hurt me… While I’ll always hurt you. Cause that’s what it means to be a real superhero!" Kite.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 2:56 PM
"Sounds dumb. Are you like, lactose intolerant or something so we can have an easy way to give you hell?"
2:57 PM
"I'd prefer to do this fast and painful so I can focus on saving women." (edited)
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"Nah, I’m all good for milk." Kite. Jade mimics vomiting. "If he really can only be hurt by giving him what he wants… Would it be worth it for me to…?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 3:07 PM
"No! He doesn't deserve what he wants. Besides, Maria's a cute girl, and when he kissed her, I saw nothing on his face that was even a smidge of the pain I felt."
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"If it’s what you’d have wanted… I’d have done it for you, Ms Lelouch." Jade. (edited)
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 3:33 PM
"..." Lelouch thinks about it. "He doesn't deserve what he wants, but he does deserve pain. But to give him pain would be to give him what he wants, but to not give him what he wants would be to not give him what he deserves..." She grumbles. "...Fine, Jade...kiss Kite. You can choose your favourite cereal for dinner in return!"
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"…Really?" Jade hesitates.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 3:37 PM
Lelouch has the most sour expression one can imagine. "Yes. Yes, fine, yes. He deserves it, and I'll wipe away his disgusting lips off with mine."
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"…" Jade hesitates as she leans in towards Kite. "Come on? What happened to saying you’d do it for her?" Kite smugly mocks. "Are you betraying he-?" He’s interrupted by Jade’s lips.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 3:41 PM
Lelouch is holding back a gag. "ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT! THAT'S ENOUGH! OFF MY GIRLFRIEND!" She pulls Jade back, glaring at Kite. "Now you better tell me it fucking hurts or I'm gonna use that crowbar in ways it's not intended."
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"Oh… It hurts so much, I think I’m gonna die!" Kite punches Jade, knocking both her and Lelouch over. "Heh. …Just kidding."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 3:49 PM
I THOUGHT HE WAS SPRAYED
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Kite lifts up his mask to reveal a gas mask stuffed inside. "Come on, did you really think I didn’t plan ahead?" Kite grabs Lelouch and pulls her away from Jade, keeping the crowbar to her neck. "If you try to spray me again, I’m gonna kill your boss."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 3:52 PM
"oH YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE"
3:53 PM
Can she punch him in the gut with her elbow?
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"Ms Lelouch!" Jade wipes off her lips quickly. "See… I wasn’t lying. I do thrive down in the dirt. But when I get to trick you like that? Now that’s a success I can enjoy. The only fun's the kind I can wrestle from the jaws of agony." Kite. Fighting Kite in this position would likely cause Lelouch to kill herself accidentally. (edited)
3:59 PM
"You know, for a superhero you sure are boring." Ehn speaks to him. "You just beat up people when they’re down and pretend that makes you better. Shawn handles the job way better! I bet you’d be nothing without him." Ehn. "Sh-Shut up! I’m the hero! Not my bro! I can do this all on my own! Like I always have!" Kite. Jade winks to Lelouch and mouths 'I have an idea'.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 4:16 PM
With Kite distracted, Lelouch keeps her eyes on Jade.
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"Y’know… Ms Lelouch thinks you’re very impressive." Jade. "Huh? N-No she doesn’t. She hates me! That’s what I’m gonna change!" Somehow this single sentence shatters all of the confidence in Kite's speech and posture. "No… I heard she’s even jealous of you. She’s always been a huge fan." Jade. The crowbar moves away from Lelouch’s neck.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 4:24 PM
"Fine, fine...Jade's right." Lelouch admits, sullenly. "You've always had this..." she holds back a gag, "flair I've been attracted to, because..." Lelouch unlelouches herself. "You're so much better than me." Lelouch inner pride dies with this single sentence.
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Kite's grip on her weakens and he points the crowbar at Jade. "Sh-Shut up! Go back to hating me! This isn’t funny- We’re… We’re enemies!" He drops Lelouch completely and grabs his head. "I’m- I’m nothing like you! Nothing at all! I’m the hero! We’re on opposing sides! You can’t… You can’t do this! Shut up!" "Quick, Ms. Lelouch! Grab his mask!" Jade.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 4:28 PM
Lelouch grabs his mask like a queen. "SIKE!"
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((Roll))
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 4:31 PM
(OH YOU Mf :( )
4:31 PM
(19!!!!)
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Lelouch rips the gas mask off Kite. He backs up against the wall, waving his crowbar wildly to prevent anyone from getting close. "See? Now this is a fun showdown! None of that weird incel stuff." Ehn. Jade rushed to Lelouch. "Are you alright, Ms Lelouch?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 4:37 PM
"Yeah, I'm fine. Jade, now's our chance. Spray him!" Lelouch commands.
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Jade whispers. "The range of the perfume is less than his crowbar. I’d die if I got close enough. But… He doesn’t know that. Tell him if he doesn’t apologize for everything, we’re going to spray him."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 4:41 PM
Lelouch whispers, "ah." Before confidentally exclaiming: "Kite! I demand you apologise, or I'll have Jade spray you. Apologise for everything! For hurting me, for getting in the way of our plans, even for fucking up Maria because clearly that was you!"
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Kite grimaces. "I-It wouldn’t work on me! As if I’d ever love a woman!" "It would! Ms Lelouch’s magic is perfect!" Jade. "Well, technically it’s yours. And mostly mine." Ehn.
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"Ms Lelouch has a happy and loving family with us. She’s always living the best life imaginable. And if you oppose us… We can force you to have that too. Right here, in the place where you lost everything, we’ll give you so much more. No more orphan card for you. Because you’re so pitiful… Ms Lelouch can grant you that." Jade. "F-Fine… I’m sorry, okay?" Kite. "More! Do it from the heart! For everything you’ve done!" Jade. "I’m… Sorry. I'm sorry for making you kiss me. I’m sorry for tricking you. I’m sorry for needing to pursue this fight… Because I need you to hate me. I… Just need you to hate me, so I can keep being the victim." Kite starts crying. "I’m sorry for fighting that. I’m sorry for breaking off the hero path to try the easy way. I’m lazy, selfish, apathetic… And- And- I’m sorry I used my bro. I’m sorry I used Maria." He turns to Lelouch pathetically. "Can we… Can we go back to normal? Can you hate me as your rival?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 5:12 PM
SORRY MY INTERNET LIKE BLACKED OUT OR SMTH IM ALIVE NOW)
5:12 PM
awe man i didn't get to respond :()
5:13 PM
(The response to the first one is:) Lelouch just glared. She'd asked for something, and she wasn't gonna ask again.
5:13 PM
(The response to the second:)
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 5:40 PM
"...You know, I really don't get it. Like, really, I don't." Lelouch took a step closer. "I'm trying to better the Earth, and you continuously get in my way for some stupid, pitiful reason, and yet you're the hero in your mind? If you really wanted a quick way onto the hero's side, you should just let Jade spray you." "Because I'm the hero. Not you. You use people for your own gain without any second thought for their needs. I help people by guiding them through their issues or showing them the right choice. You're lazy, selfish and apathetic, while I'm empathetic, and nice, and considerate to girls who deserve attention FAR more than you. But, in this one chance, I'm giving you that option. I'm giving you the attention a hero would give a person in need, because that's what you are. A person in need." "So I say, make the right choice, Kite. Stop getting in my way, and become a part of the Lelouch family."
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"Don’t… Pity… Me! You’re just trying to trick me, aren’t you? I see through that! I’m- I’m the hero! I’ll protect the world from people like you! I don’t… I don’t need anyone else!"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 5:53 PM
"If you were really the hero, you wouldn't be fighting an unarmed woman because she hurt your ego." Lelouch rolls her eyes. "Besides, you need people. You needed Shawn to be your sidekick, you needed Maria to lure me here, it's laughable that you think you could protect the world on your own." "So let me help you." Lelouch stares, bored. "Really, the sooner you allow me to do that, the more use to the world you'll be."
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"I- I…" Kite. Jade suddenly kisses Lelouch passionately.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 6:01 PM
Lelouch reciprocated, ending the kiss prematurely to turn to Kite. "See that? That's what I have. If you join me, you can have something similar."
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"But on your own… You’ll never have it. Because you need Ms Lelouch to give it to you." Jade. Kite takes a hesitant step forward. "What’s… What’s your plan? Once you take over the world, how are you gonna fix it? Us men are just gonna end up on the bottom, aren’t we?"
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 6:19 PM
"Well, the men that don't willingly join our side, sure. But for the men like you, who will come to know better than to go using women for your own wants? Well, maybe there will be a place for you in my better society."
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"…Have you ever read a comic book?" Kite. "Huh?" Jade. Ehn yawns.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 6:20 PM
"I prefer anime. Much more refined and better representation and respect for women. Why?"
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"Because the hero… Isn’t the one fighting for change. They’re the guy who has to push it down. And that’s what I am… A superhero!" Kite swings his crowbar through the wall and runs outside. "You’ll never be loved by anyone without us! You’re nothing!" Jade. Kite wipes his eyes, but doesn’t stop crying. "Yeah. That’s the root of any good superhero story." He runs off.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/12/2023 6:53 PM
"Hm." Lelouch wasn't too fazed by him running away, she half expected it. "Well, we'll get him next time." She turns arounds and faces Jade. "How'd you get here, anyway?"
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((End session))
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((Saturday))
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"I walked." Jade says excitedly. "Because that man's hideout, Jeff Johnner… It’s close. We can go there and spray him right now."
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/19/2023 4:23 PM
"Is it? Well, great!" Lelouch Lelouches so hard in this response. She looks over to the cop. "Do you think he's dead?"
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The cop wakes up. "Well, that’s all from me. Bye!" Ehn walks off.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/19/2023 4:27 PM
"Of course the man conveniently wakes up after the women have to deal with the issue at hand." Tsk tsk. "Bye." Lelouch nods at the cat thing i think it's a cat??? "I'm glad your safe, Jade." Lelouch places a soft kiss on Jade's cheek.
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"I’m glad you’re safe too, Ms Lelouch." Jade kisses Lelouch’s cheek. Maria is still standing there, watching them.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/19/2023 4:36 PM
"Should we take Maria with us? We don't want her getting kidnapped again."
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"Of course. We can watch her." Jade nods, helping Lelouch stand up.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/19/2023 4:39 PM
"Alright." *Lelouch nods, turning her head to face Maria. "Maria! Come on, we're leaving."
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Maria follows. The cop gets in the driver’s seat and Jade helps Lelouch into the back.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/19/2023 4:42 PM
"Thanks, cutie." Lelouch smiles. "Now, you can tell the cop where Johnner's hideout is, and we can be on our way."
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"The Avengard mall." Jade cuddles up to Lelouch. Maria sits on the other side of Lelouch and does the same. The cop drives to the mall in question.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/19/2023 4:44 PM
Lelouch getting all the maidens fr.
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The car arrives at the mall. "Are you ready, Ms Lelouch?" Jade asks this as the cop gets out of the car.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/19/2023 4:53 PM
"Yea! Let's make the world a better place, Jade." She says, holding Jade's hand.
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Jade helps her out of the car and leads her into the mall. Maria and the cop follow.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/19/2023 4:59 PM
Lelouch is just Lelouching man. She trusts Jade.
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They approach an employee only area. This officer who punched Lelouch a few days ago tries to stop them. "Um, excuse me. This is an employee only area. You can't come back here." The cop flashes a police badge. "Official police business." "Oh, sorry." The officer moves away from them and lets them enter.
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Lelouch Maoziwam 8/19/2023 5:04 PM
L. Men getting what they deserve for punching a woman such as Lelouch.
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Jade brings Lelouch into the room. Inside is a normal looking kitchen, in which Dana Craig, Ariel May, and this guy are standing. ((New channel))
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((FORGOT to mention that this ends chapter 9 yeah))
5:19 PM
((You're on 10 now because it's past midnight))
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / shawn-duveldt
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"…" Howard just sighs. Kite comes into view, running away from the direction of the Edlightenment building.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 1:46 PM
I freeze up
1:46 PM
"That's... It's him."
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"I can tell." Howard parks the car on the side of the road.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 1:47 PM
I get out of the car (edited)
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Howard gets out and leans against the side of the car. "Good luck."
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 1:51 PM
"You want... Uh... Okay." God. Fuck. Okay. I'm not prepared for this
1:52 PM
I walk to Kite
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Kite keeps running towards Shawn.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 1:53 PM
Shawn looks at the way that he's running and trys to see based on his body language how he's feeling
1:54 PM
((9))
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Shawn can’t tell.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 1:56 PM
"Kite!" I call out I ready myself, however. Just in case he wants to fight me. For what happened
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He stops. "…Bro." Then he starts running again.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 2:00 PM
"What are you... Kite, hold on!"
2:00 PM
What the hell is he doing. I've got no idea
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He keeps charging at Shawn.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 2:02 PM
I put my arms into a blocking position.
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Kite reaches Shawn.
2:02 PM
And then hugs him.
2:03 PM
Then he starts to cry.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 2:03 PM
...
2:03 PM
Shawn hugs him back. Tightly
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"I’m… Sorry." Kite. "…Huh?" Howard.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 2:05 PM
Shawn doesn't reply. Or let go. He grips tighter
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Kite keeps crying. Howard takes out a cigarette and starts smoking. "Haah…"
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 2:12 PM
...
2:12 PM
...
2:12 PM
...
2:12 PM
Shawn holds Kite for a long time, he doesn't know how long. It's a second that feels like it lasts forever. The world around him falls away, all the light and the sound and the air and time itself. It's just him and Kite right now. (edited)
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"…I fucked up, didn’t I bro?" Kite. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 2:15 PM
"I'm...."
2:18 PM
Shawn has a billion thoughts running through his head. He's furious at Kite. He can't stand to see him like this. He's desperate to push him away but he cannot possibly let go of him. He's a fractal of bugs squishing other bugs.
2:19 PM
Does Shawn know how to verbalize what he feels? Can he? Are there words in the english language that carry that? Are there words in any language that carry that? That can convey his... his...
2:19 PM
Shawn doesn't know.
2:20 PM
"We're together right now. I don't care about anything else."
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"…I just wanna be the hero." Kite. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 2:23 PM
"Don't you get it, bro?"
2:23 PM
"You are a hero. You've always been mine."
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"You’re… my hero too, bro." Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 2:26 PM
Shawn buries his head in between kites head and his shoulders
2:26 PM
He holds Kite as tight as he can
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"…She almost got me. With that perfume." Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 2:29 PM
"What happened back there?"
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"…She was nice to me." Kite simply says.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 2:30 PM
"What does..."
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"Bro, why… Didn’t I let her spray me?" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 2:38 PM
"..."
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"Why did I…?" Kite. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 2:49 PM
"You're a hero, aren't you?"
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"Yeah, but… Wasn’t she offering what I wanted?"
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 2:50 PM
"What did she offer?"
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"Everything. But… Mostly, it was… About love." Kite. Howard groans.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 2:56 PM
"Love?"
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"Yeah, she… Said she’d even give me a chance at love. But I… I dunno…" Kite. (edited)
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 3:01 PM
"The thing Lelouch can give you isn't love, Kite. I don't think she's capiable of understanding that."
3:01 PM
"Love isn't control."
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“Then… What is love?" Kite. "A bunch of chemicals in your brain that tell you how to feel. That’s all it really is." Howard.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 3:13 PM
Shawn thinks long and hard about his response, before eventually saying. "Love is when you get up in the morning and see that someone made you breakfast before you got up. Not for any special reason either. Just... randomly. Just because."
3:15 PM
"It's... security, I guess. Someone cares about you and your happiness enough that it's on their mind without your input. Knowing full-well that someone, somewhere, cares a lot about you."
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"Earlier, I kissed Maria. And uh… The green one, too." Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 3:16 PM
"I don't... I don't get why."
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"…Me neither." Kite sighs. "I kinda wanted it but… It didn’t do much. I felt powerful but I still felt… So alone." "That’s life." Howard shrugs.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 3:22 PM
"Kite... We... We don't have to be anything more then what we are right now. The Advent Guard, I mean."
3:22 PM
"This... I'm happy with this."
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Kite wipes his eyes with his arm. "I love you, bro."
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 3:25 PM
Shawn is crying now also
3:26 PM
"I love you too, man. I love you so much."
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"…I’m a hero, right? You didn’t… You didn’t mean it when you said we were the same."
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 3:30 PM
"..." "Kite... I didn't want to do that thing you were saying. I don't think you wanted to either. I'm... I'm sorry, I didn't mean what I said, I was just... I was upset."
3:31 PM
"I just... I don't know." Shawn is crying a lot more now "I'm just... I'm scared, man. I thought I was losing you."
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“…Heh. Did you forget what I said? Heroes don’t die. They just respawn." Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 3:35 PM
Shawn lets out a small laugh and then lets go to start laughing really hard.
3:36 PM
He wipes his face and reaches out his hand to Kite
3:36 PM
"Are we back?"
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Kite takes it. "You better believe it!" He forces a smile. "…Kids these days. Always with the mind games" Howard drops his cigarette and stomps it out. "Are you ready to go?"
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 3:39 PM
"Fuck yeah."
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Howard gets back in the car. "Feels like he should’ve dropped another cool line there." Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 3:42 PM
"He's old, give him a break."
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"That’s why I’m never gonna get old!" Kite gets in the car.
3:43 PM
The only space left for Shawn is the backseat where criminals go.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 3:43 PM
"Dont say that..." Shawn gets in after him
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Howard drives back to the police station.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 3:43 PM
"Kite, what actually happened back there? Where's Maria?"
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"…Lelouch got her. It’s all because of that evil traitor, though! I could’ve won!" There’s not much conviction in this claim.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 3:45 PM
"Traitor?"
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"Yeah, y’know…" Kite whispers to Shawn. "Ehn."
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 3:46 PM
"Oh, that stupid literal bitch!"
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They arrive at the police station.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 3:47 PM
"We'll get her back together, okay?"
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"Damn right!" Kite.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 3:47 PM
Shawn leaves the car
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Howard walks to the room with the computer.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 3:50 PM
Quietly to Kite "Lelouch made me get Maria to her... So I think as long as that part of the order is fulfilled, I'm free to act as my own. We can plot against her."
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"Ha! She’ll never see it coming." Kite. "Are you coming? We’ve got a gangster to stop." Howard.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 3:53 PM
"Yeah, we're coming."
3:53 PM
To Kite "The raid against Johnner is today, Scott wanted both of us to help."
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"I know, bro." Kite goes after Howard.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 3:56 PM
Shawn also goes after howard
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James stops him. "What happened to him being a criminal? Are you really such a hypocrite?"
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 3:59 PM
Shawn waits till Kite walks a little further, and then says "He's my problem, not yours."
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"Who decided that? You?"
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 4:02 PM
"He's better at this then you are."
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"I’m not a criminal. I’ve never acted in any way that wasn’t in perfect accordance to the law."
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 4:03 PM
"He can avoid becoming Maoziwam's puppet."
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"…" She turns and walks away.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 4:08 PM
Shawn smirks and walks to Howard
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Howard is in the room, holding out 2 earpieces. "Here. Better ones, so you can interrogate him properly without needing to explain it back to me."
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 4:11 PM
Shawn takes one
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"What's it do?" Kite takes the other one. "It lets me hear everyone else in the room. Dont worry though, you can turn them off when you're not on missions." Howard.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 4:13 PM
"Useful."
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"Just get to that hide out in the mall, get his boss's name out of him, and you're done. The rest after that is on me." Howard points to a button in the computer. "Huh? What's that do?" Kite. "It's important. You like stories, right? Keep it dramatic." Howard says this but his expression doesn't make it seem like any kind of exciting reveal.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 4:15 PM
"You don't want us to like capture him or anything?"
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"We'll handle that much. As soon as we've got the name. But I would prefer if you didn't let him out of your sight, that's for sure." Howard approached Shawn. "What about you? Are you sure your armor's gonna be enough to get through a mafia hideout?"
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 4:18 PM
"Did you know ive been shot by a minigun before once?"
4:18 PM
"For like 5 solid seconds."
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"Huh. The hell's this thing made of?" Howard grabs the bottom of the chest piece and lifts it up slightly to get a look. "Really just seems like plastic to me."
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 4:21 PM
"Have you ever seen the movie Avatar? The blue people one. There's this metal called unobtanium"
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Howard lets go and starts laughing as he sits down in front of the computer. "...Right. Good luck." "Let's go, bro." Kite turns to leave.
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Shawn Duveldt 8/17/2023 4:22 PM
"See ya!"
4:22 PM
Shawn walks away with Kite
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Just barely in earshot as they leave, Howard speaks to no one. "...This is for you, Gus." "...What?" Kite freezes in place. The clock strikes midnight. ((End chapter, end session))
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / ouroboros-stanley
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Ouroboros wakes up on the couch a few hours later.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/2/2024 5:17 PM
Grumbling vaguely, he looks around.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 4:42 PM
Does he recognize their voices?
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It seems like Maria Sr and Harry.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 4:43 PM
...What are they talking about?
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Harry seems to be asking if Ouroboros is okay.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 4:51 PM
Suddenly, he feels like he has a lot more energy. He gets to his feet and follows Harry's voice. "I'm doing fine. Just a little tired, that's all."
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Harry moves away instinctively. "Good morning." Maria groans.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 4:59 PM
"...Good morning. And thank you for stopping by, Harry."
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"I just heard my brother was in the hospital." Harry.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 5:00 PM
"Well, he is! And this isn't the hospital."
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"I wanted to ask what happened from someone who understands what's going on." Harry.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 5:02 PM
"He got shot. He'd be able to tell you that just as well as me and my wife can, I'd say."
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"Why was he shot?" Harry. "Harry... Don't get yourself involved." Maria.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 5:06 PM
He glances over at Maria, only for a moment. "You ever heard of Jeff Johnner, Harry?" (edited)
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"No?" Harry.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 5:08 PM
"Mob boss. Wants me dead, apparently. No clue why. Your brother was in the wrong place at the wrong time."
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"You pissed off a mob boss!?" Harry.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 5:10 PM
"Nope! I didn't do a thing."
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"Don't shrug that off so easily." Harry.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 5:11 PM
"I'm not shrugging it off. I had nothing to do with this guy before he decided he wanted me dead."
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"I know that was you, dad. In the news, last week. Spreading all those rumors on twitter about your business rival. If you start poking your nose into unsolved murders you're obviously going to draw attention from those types." Harry.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 5:46 PM
"Oh, God." He looks away, shaking his head. "That was a crime of passion. Sean had nothing to do with the mob. I know this for a fact. Do you think the mafia's goal is to make sure random criminals get away with shit just for the sake of it?"
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"What else?" Harry.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 5:47 PM
"...That wasn't a serious question."
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"You’re not a very serious person."
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 5:50 PM
"Well, I'm serious when I say I'm 100% sure I didn't do anything to piss off a mob boss. All I've been involved with for the past so-and-so months is my own family business. But you know what? Doesn't even matter any more. It's over. He won't be a problem going forward."
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"How are you so sure?" Maria.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 5:57 PM
"He's distracted at worst, and dead at best. Either way, I have time to make sure I have everything in order." He checks his phone for news about Johnner.
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Nothing.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 6:01 PM
...He then checks for King Burger news. Surely they must've already fucked something up without him around to guide them.
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They’re apparently shutting down again.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 6:05 PM
...God fucking damnit. Okay. "I'm going for a drive. Seriously, Harry, thanks for popping in."
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"Don’t mention it." Harry says sarcastically.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 6:25 PM
He smiles. Off he goes! He takes his car... ... He takes the bus to a car dealership and buys a new car as quickly as he can.
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This happens. There’s no point going through it.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 6:27 PM
Yessir. He drives to King Burger.
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It looks the same as before.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 6:28 PM
He goes inside and looks for the manager.
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"Oh, there you are!" The manager.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 6:29 PM
"...Been a rough couple of days. But I'm back for good. What the hell happened? We're shutting down?"
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"You lost ownership of the brand, apparently."
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 6:30 PM
He blinks. "What?"
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"Your contract. It didn’t fly. Sean Niebel refused to take it back, shut it down, and left it with Shuichi Maoziwam."
‼️ 1
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 6:37 PM
"...What the fuck? How? Why did..." More than angry, Ouroboros seems dumbfounded. The deal was flawless and was handled amicably. "When did you learn about this?"
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"2 days ago."
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 6:39 PM
"...Immediately after you closed up for the night?"
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"That sounds right."
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 6:41 PM
"That's fucking ridiculous. This can't..." He takes a moment to think, pacing around the room. "Okay, listen. You know what's going to happen? Don't pack anything up. We're not shutting down. You all still have a job. I'm going to fix this."
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"Are you sure?"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 6:44 PM
"Absolutely. I spoke to Sean only last night. He was lying right to my face, apparently... there's definitely a way forward. I just need to work out what it is."
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"Okay…"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 6:46 PM
"Just... bear with me. Update the other employees. I'll get this done as soon as I can." He leaves, and for old time's sake, checks his phone for news about Sean Niebel.
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"Okay… I’d rather keep having a job." There’s no news about Sean Niebel.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 8:00 PM
On his way to his car, he digs deeper into the original article about the contract falling through. (edited)
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Doesn’t seem like the details were made public.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 8:07 PM
Weird. Would it just be the rights to King Burger that Sean has again? Why the hell would he want that? Did he personally come to shut the restaurant down? Why? He looks for mentions of Carl Tucker and Shuichi Maoziwam in recent articles.
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((Roll))
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 8:12 PM
((16))
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It was the funeral of Shuichi Maoziwam’s butler this morning. Shuichi didn’t attend, but it seems Jeff Johnner did.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 8:13 PM
...This morning? Like, after he fell asleep?
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Correct.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 8:14 PM
Has the funeral ended yet?
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It seems like it. This isn’t actually news, it’s just a social media post from one of Jeff's goons that Ouroboros was lucky enough to find so there’s not too many details.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 8:26 PM
...What the fuck does that mean for Ouroboros? Is he actually safe? What are those kids planning on doing? Obviously, he didn't expect them to be genuinely reliable for this sort of task, but if Jeff's attending a funeral, he doesn't feel threatened. Maybe it's greedy to want the kids to act immediately, he considers. The definitive link between Shuichi and Jeff that he just unearthed is understated in his evaluation of the facts. Shuichi, objectively speaking, does not have a reason to care about King Burger. Why would losing one small business that he's not even doing anything with affect him? Is he delusional? ...Well, yeah. Corporate-brain and delusion go hand in hand. But if the brand really is in Shuichi's hands again, does that mean he's safe? Does he have what he wants? He checks what time it is.
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It’s getting late.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 8:45 PM
Damnit. Why does he have to feel genuinely exhausted now, of all times? He needs to poke around. What could the link between Shuichi and King Burger possibly be? What the hell is he missing? He looks over the list of brands Shuichi owns again. What's so special about King Burger?
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He owns all kinds of brands.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 8:47 PM
He scrutinizes them very closely. Are they all local?
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They are not.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 8:48 PM
Are any of them local?
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Some of them are.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 8:57 PM
So then why the hell is King Burger special? There's only one thing he's missing, he knows it. Something that'd give him a reason to put a bounty on his head. Something specific to the brand that Shuichi thinks is worth killing over. Is it like, a collectathon thing for him? Is he trying to create a monopoly? Monopolizing the world is not physically possible. There is not enough time in the world. His empire would have to crash eventually. He stands to gain nothing from fixating so hard on King Burger specifically. Besides, it was the single brand he didn't buy alongside Leiblinc. What the fuck does that imply? He doesn't care enough about owning the brand to buy it, but he cares enough to kill over it? Is this a spite thing? Is King Burger a game to him? It's like he wants the brand to fade into obscurity. But all that would accomplish is fucking over Ouroboros personally, and Ouroboros has never done anything wrong. So then... ...He does some more digging. Does Shuichi have anything to do with Avengard Mall?
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((Roll))
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 9:08 PM
((4))
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Nothing.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 9:10 PM
That doesn’t deter him. He digs harder. (edited)
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((Roll))
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 9:11 PM
((15))
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The mall seems to be owned by some kind of shell company that may belong to Shuichi.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 9:23 PM
He laughs. He laughs and laughs and laughs and laughs and laughs. That's it. That was really it, the whole time. All along, there was something beyond his comprehension hanging over his head preventing him from seeing his life's work through. Is that what the visit from God was about? An inscrutiable yet inarguable force of good steering him in the direction of figuring this out? There's no way to know. It's impossible to know. He does not even come close to having every necessary piece to solve this puzzle. Why would Shuichi want the original King Burger demolished? Because there's something there. Something he doesn't want seen. The corporatist subsumes the honest capitalist because the basest truth of the corporatist's identity is too embarrassing to show the world. Too embarrassing to let Ouroboros see. The mall is closed. The mall is definitely closed. But tomorrow, he'll investigate it. There will be nothing there. But there will be something worth finding beneath the waxed, sanitized floors. He is going to prove himself right. He's going to prove that all his life hasn't been for nothing. One final obstacle for him alone to overcome. No hand-outs, like last time. Is that what God wanted all along? He thinks about that on the drive home.
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Ouroboros arrives home.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 9:27 PM
He goes inside, and walks upstairs. If anyone tries to interrupt him, he ignores them. He goes to bed without brushing his teeth, showering or changing clothes — not that the latter two were ever staples of his nightly routine.
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His wife forcefully grabs him by the arm. "This has to stop."
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 9:30 PM
He looks over his shoulder at her. "What does?"
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"One son’s in the hospital, the other’s terrified for his life. One daughter is in prison and… Where even is Maria?" (edited)
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 9:33 PM
"She's staying the night with a couple of classmates. Ones more trustworthy than Jade and Lelouch, mind you." He blinks. "Wait, when the hell did Sarah get arrested?"
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"She killed some YouTuber apparently. Though I really doubt she wasn’t framed."
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 9:36 PM
"...And yet just the other day, she was mouthing off about how wrong murder is." He laughs a little. "Curious."
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"Why would you laugh at that!? What the hell is wrong with you!?"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 9:39 PM
"It's fine. She knew what the risks were when she chose her career — whether she was arrested for hacking or murder doesn't really matter. I'm not at all surprised it's come to this." (edited)
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She slaps him.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 9:41 PM
Ow. "I still don't understand what 'this' is, or how it stopping would change anything."
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"Your obsession with this business. It’s tearing what’s left of this family apart."
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 9:44 PM
"You think so? The Ijiraq seems happy with what I'm doing. The only reason Sarah's still in contact with us is because she's working for the brand's sake. I mean, fuck, Harry wouldn't have even come back if not for me getting King Burger back. If anything, Maria, it's bringing us back together." (edited)
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"You can’t possibly think that."
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 9:45 PM
"I just explained why I do. Care to disprove any of it?" (edited)
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"Do you know why none of them love you?"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 9:46 PM
He blinks. "Do you want to make this about love now?"
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"It’s not just because you’re a useless piece of shit. It’s because you’re obsessed!"
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 9:55 PM
"Obsessed with what, Maria? Obsessed with actually applying myself for the first time in years? Obsessed with building up something worth attending my will's reading for? As opposed to you being obsessed with... yourself?" (edited)
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"I’m not obsessed with anything."
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 10:05 PM
"Exactly. I'm going to bed. Good night."
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"…Ouroboros. If there’s any part of you that still loves this family, drop this."
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 10:09 PM
"That's a ridiculous ultimatum."
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"You’re a ridiculous person."
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 10:11 PM
"Maybe so. I'm sorry you can't accept the only form of love I have left in me."
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"I don’t believe for a second even you think this counts as love."
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 10:12 PM
"And I don't care what you think." He leaves for his room.
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She lets him go this time.
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Ouroboros Stanley 2/5/2024 10:13 PM
He sleeps.
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((End Chapter))
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / dana-craig
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Dana Craig awakens in a dark and unfamiliar valley. The only thing around is a long road that stretches off into the horizon in either direction. As is typical of dreams, this sight is not confusing to Dana in the slightest. Even though she does not recognize the area or know how she could have arrived here, she completely accepts her current circumstances.
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Well, okay. I don’t particularly tend to dream often… I look up at the sky.
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It’s dark.
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Well, yeah. “Uh.” I attempt to make noise, with my mouth.
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It echoes, somehow. The rest of the world is deathly silent.
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Okay. I walk the lonely road; the only one that I have ever known.
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Dana feels like she walks for hours before the sound of a horse-drawn carriage appears behind her.
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Boring. Hm? I turn to the presumable horse.
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Ariel and Grace are driving the carriage. The horses they’re on are unremarkable.
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Oh, no. This is totally going to get weird. I examine the horses. There’s two? That’s interesting and worth noting.
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There are 2 horses.
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“Two of them…” Two of them.
6:05 PM
I force my subconscious to render the horses in further detail by scrutinizing if they look identical or are different horses.
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Pretty sure it’s just the same horse twice. Bizarre. Ugh. I’ve exhausted all my feasible horse-related ideas, and I don’t want to just be stuck in limbo. “What is this?” I say to the carriage I maybe forced to stop to stare at their horses for a good twenty minutes or something. Ariel and Grace don’t even know each other, brain. Idiot.
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"It’s a carriage." Ariel explains. "Don’t you want to go somewhere better?" Grace.
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“Kind of. I just figured this was it.”
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"This was what?" Grace. "It." Ariel explains.
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“The endless horizon, the lack of any light… I assumed it was supposed to entail that I’m not ‘supposed’ to be able to go anywhere else.” I smirk, entering the vehicle. “Nothing against seeing if that’s wrong, though.”
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Jeff Johnner is sitting inside the carriage.
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“Oh, swell.”
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"Have a seat."
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I sit.
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The carriage starts to move.
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Yeah they tend to do that. “Any more specifics about where this is going?”
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"Who would decide that?"
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“I don’t know the chain of command here. Are we just letting the horses go wherever?”
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"Do you believe in god?"
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“Not particularly.” ((who is saying this))
7:24 PM
((still Jeff?))
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((Yes))
7:25 PM
"It's a yes or no question. What the hell does not particularly mean?"
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“I don’t think there’s one. But how the fuck would I know? If there is one, He certainly keeps to Himself.”
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"I appreciate the capitalization." He smirks. "But if you did get to talk to him, what would you say?"
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“Probably some nonsense about the meaning of life or whatever. Or if the stupid shit in the Bible happened. We’re talking about like, an old sky man, right? My answer could be different if this is Baal or something.”
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"I'd say none of them really got it."
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“Yeah, it seems least feasible anyone really made the right guess. …I’ll be so owned when I show up there and God’s a woman. And then She sends me to superhell.”
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He just starts laughing. "...Well. Surprise, Dana. You're talking to me."
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“Yeah, I got that, I think. From the time we interacted. You thought you were God? Or knew God? Also, you were probably in love with that guy I killed. It was a weird situation.”
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"No, the guy I look like right now wasn't into Marco Gould. He's into Grobber Brentwood. Regardless, the point is... You're talking to God right now."
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“Grobber? Jeez. Well, anyway, that’s nice.”
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"So? What do you want to tell me?"
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“Why are you appearing to me, Dana Craig? I’m not gonna start a religion for you, let’s get that part clear.”
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"I'm not a narcissist like you, nor am I foolish enough to think that if you started a religion it'd be about anyone but yourself. I'm doing this out of curiosity. But to be clear, when you look back on this conversation, you'll think you dreamt about god being such a fan of you he stopped by for a visit. That'll really make you question your narcisstic tendencies." She will, in fact, remember it as that. Plausible deniability and all that.
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“No, I think it’s obvious I won’t. You’re kind of being a passive aggressive prick. Doesn’t sound like a Dana Craig fan.”
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"Can you conceptualize a person who isn't a passive aggressive prick to you?"
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I laugh. “Yes? Fucking obviously. But I’ll admit there’s some weird baggage to unpack if you’re actually something my mind created.”
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He chuckles. "But as I said, curiosity. A lot of people wear what they think of the very concept of me on their sleeve. There'll be a guy who'd do anything for me, or a guy who'll do anything to spite me. But you? I don't have a clue. I can't even quite tell if you hate yourself or you love yourself."
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“I don’t. Either one doesn’t make sense. It’s like having a strong opinion on gravity. I’m me. No matter what. It’s only worth hating or loving what could vary.”
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"I know a man like that. The worst human on the planet, perhaps. I’m not sure you want to model yourself after him."
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“I couldn’t model myself after someone I don’t know, but alright. For a god, you sure do have a lot of personal biases and things you aren’t aware of.”
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"…" That’s harsh. "Well, that’s not really the point of all this. You’re supposed to ask more complex questions. Like why you were born… Or why you suffer. Or maybe what happens when you die? That kind of existential question. I also accept the general advice questions."
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“I feel like I know all of those already. I mean, when I die, that’s it, right? Nothing else.” The scenery outside still the same?
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The scenery outside is still the same. "Maybe. I don’t actually care to answer that one, even if it’s expected. Knowing for sure what happens when you die kind of ruins the feeling."
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“That’s cool, whatever. In what sense do you claim to be God? Did you create the world I live in, or is this just a matter of power?”
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He smirks. "Why don’t I hit you with a question first? Obviously, I know the answer, but it’s amusing nonetheless. What are going to do about Grace?"
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I don’t know, idiot, what do you think am going to do about Grace? “I dunno what you mean. If she imposes I’ll think of doing something, but it’s just one night.”
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"I don’t mean about her sleeping in your apartment. I meant the fact you’re already dating someone and reacting to her like that. Depending on who you ask, I might think this is sort of thing is a sin, you know?"
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“Oh, right. I don’t really plan on doing… anything?” …Right? “I don’t think I’d really have a chance, and… it’s too… homogenous. Grace is… she’s like me. Even being acquaintances was often a disaster. A relationship needs to… fill in the peaks and troughs, not accentuate them.” What the fuck am I saying? “Not that I can claim to know much about that.”
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"…That’s funny. People like you tend to do anything they can to be able to date themselves."
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“I don’t actually think you know anything about me at all, let alone what makes someone like me. Hey, why the fuck are you Jeff? If this is a figment of my imagination, I certainly don’t perceive that guy who beat me up once as divine. And if it’s not, which is feasible since magic bullshit exists, you seem to be claiming you aren’t actually him.”
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"…He‘s the only person who’s talked to you about god. There’s an association there, whether you like it or not." I don’t answer the rest because I don’t want to. "Do you think soulmates are real? That 2 people are made to be together?"
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“I suppose. Dream logic. Whatever. You obviously aren’t going to give me anything useful. But I could buy this being trivial regardless. If only because I’d like to live in the world where Jeff Johnner has the least possible amount of relevance.” I look out of the carriage, wistfully or whatever. “I already answered about god, and soulmates are even more obviously fake. Unless you mean in some literal sense like fate existing because everything is predetermined, which is philosophy nonsense I don’t dwell on. The idea of a soulmate is practically as dumb as the idea of a souljob or soulhouse. People just want the best they can manage. There’s some song or poem, like… ‘You are my beloved, my one and only. And if I didn’t have you, I’d probably have someone else’. People just like to pretend what they have is magical. Which is fine, I guess?”
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"So you don’t think there’s someone out there made for you? That’s good, because Ariel May certainly isn’t your soulmate."
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“Yes, no one is. What are you fucking on, huh? This what you’re curious about, god? For someone who was such a sniveling little bitch about me being egotistical and thinking the actual god would be interested in me specifically, you sure are real into scrutinizing my love life.”
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"…" This is too hard to explain. Even I’m not quite sure what I’m doing. "It was funny."
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“I’m laughing up a storm here. You mentioned the concept of people ‘who will do anything for you’. I don’t think that was just about being religious. I think you’re not so holy to be above having things you want, and whatever this is — this is one way to try to get it. What’s with the scenery? The almost completely silent facsimiles of women in my life? Did you do that, too?”
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"…In a sense. I’m not really great at purposeful metaphors but I think there was something to that. Maybe?"
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“It was alright. You did get one thing wrong, though.”
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"No. I didn’t."
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“I guess not. Something like this can’t be ‘wrong’. But it’s only a memory. I’m not stuck here anymore.”
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He gets up and opens the door of the carriage. "I'll leave the rest of this dream to you then, I guess. Do whatever you want with it."
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I was wondering how much influence I still exert, really. I attempt to will myself past the bounds of gravity. Mostly out of curiosity. “One last thing. I don’t think it’s literally you. Just a hunch based on attitude. And I don’t have any reason to trust your answer, or think you’ll answer at all. But I’ll ask anyway. Is Ehn one of yours?”
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"Haven't you ever heard the phrase 'Man's Best Friend'?" He jumps out of the carriage and dies. Dana wills herself past the bounds of gravity.
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“Ugh. What an asshole.” I mutter to myself.
9:50 PM
I leave the carriage. Neither of these two are real. None of this will be, but… I don’t need to resort to MAKING UP a scenario where I interact with Ariel May.
9:51 PM
Hmm.
9:52 PM
I don’t need to make a show of thinking, keeping my internal monologue secret. Or putting the effort into speaking out loud. I suppose in a world that is mine alone, my consciousness can simply be.
9:52 PM
I don’t dream often. Let alone lucidly. I wonder if that’s because of That Guy’s influence.
9:53 PM
I suppose I’m accepting it as something external to myself. I almost want to not do so out of spite, but if that was the right way of looking at it, I’d literally just be spiting myself.
9:54 PM
It is earnestly terrifying that I cannot be alone and untouchable in my own mind, but I’ll leave panicking about that for later and hope awake me decides this is bullshit.
9:56 PM
Then again… I dunno. This all started when I began losing it over being alone with my own thoughts in the store. Perhaps believing I’m not is some sickening way to cope. I want and loathe solitude, then. What a fucking boring contradiction. Get in line, pal. Everyone deals with that.
9:56 PM
Wouldn’t it be fucking funny if everything starting with Ehn appearing was my shitty coma dream theory, or whatever? What a riot.
9:58 PM
I glance back at the two identical horses, probably representative of how I don’t value the interiority of other people like Ariel and Grace beyond what purpose they fulfill for my benefit, or something. And then I ascend.
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Beyond the carriage, beyond the road. To the extent I can see the the top of the bounds enclosing the valley.
10:06 PM
But of course, there’s nothing beyond. I didn’t put anything there.
10:07 PM
Perhaps a different sort of mind may have been able to give themselves a vague intuition of continued landscape. But as a gamer, I know all too well the limits of fantasy.
10:09 PM
I go high enough that the entire area appears distant, and small. The unlimited road continues in both directions. But the rest is finite.
10:11 PM
Because the area is small now, I pick it up with one hand, breaking off the relevant segment of this string, that which contained the carriage. This makes sense. I hold it gently in the palm of my hand. I could destroy it so easily. It would be effortless. But it would be pointless. Not wrong or right. Trivial.
10:12 PM
I let go, allowing it to drift away in the wind. There’s wind now, also.
10:13 PM
A figure approaches. Something blindingly bright. God, maybe.
10:13 PM
Hello, Dana Craig.
10:13 PM
See, I can tell this one is just me. It feels different from earlier.
10:14 PM
I suppose I can never be sure. “Hi. Let’s not do the thing where I talk to myself, alright?”
10:14 PM
Then who should I be?
10:14 PM
“I don’t know. Anyone else.”
10:15 PM
You expressed no interest in Grace or Ariel. Seemingly because they were readily available in your reality. So…
10:17 PM
No. No no no. “No.” I claw away the image of Artemis Craig. “Not going there. I’d rather just wake up than try to… ugh, I dunno. Too many opportunities for intrusive thoughts.”
10:17 PM
Fine. Her, then.
10:18 PM
I stare at Michelle, and nod. “That works. It’s… odd. I guess it makes sense for me to think of her right now.”
10:18 PM
Are you upset she died, or not?
10:19 PM
“It’s not that simple. I mean, she didn’t deserve it, as far as I’m aware. But I don’t think it’s bugging me for such a noble reason. Maybe it’s projection. Because it could’ve been me. A reminder of fragility.”
10:20 PM
But it couldn’t have been Dana. Now you know what happened.
10:21 PM
“It could never have literally been me, even when I thought she got involved with the mob or something.”
10:21 PM
“I guess the projection still works. The person who killed her might be dead, but it also might be someone who has reason to want me dead.”
10:22 PM
You really don’t need to go to the effort of imagining people who want to kill you.
10:22 PM
“Yeah, Jeff showed up here already. Hah.”
10:23 PM
Is that all you think? That death is frightening?
10:23 PM
“What do you mean? I mean, in the sense all people fundamentally have the survival instinct to—“
10:23 PM
I’m her. This isn’t just a conversation topic. What would you say to her, if you could?
10:24 PM
“It’s pointless to think about. I mean…”
10:25 PM
Obviously you don’t really believe that. I’m still here. What if there was something after death? If we pretended there was some miracle? It could be worthwhile. Maybe this is real therapy.
10:26 PM
“It’s not even just that. It’s pointless because there’s nothing to say. I didn’t even KNOW her, really…”
10:26 PM
Do you know anyone?
10:26 PM
“Touché.”
10:26 PM
“I guess… I mean, first I’d ask her what specifically happens after you die, and what actually happened to her.”
10:27 PM
You can’t ignore the spirit of the question you asked.
10:27 PM
“Watch me, bitch. But fine, sure.”
10:29 PM
“I would tell her… that this wasn’t some stroke of bad luck. I don’t think it’s a universal rule that there’s always a person who kills you because they’re crazy. But Michelle, you must have known. You were asking for an end like this.”
10:29 PM
What the fuck are you talking about? Wait, she didn’t swear, did she…
10:30 PM
“Yeah, it’s weird and fucked up to say, but it’s true! She lived her life naive and vulnerable. The nice ones finish last.”
10:33 PM
Do you think no one alive is nice?
10:34 PM
“What the fuck does that mean? Anyway, no. But it involves some aegis of protection. Children can be innocent because they’ve got their parents to cover for them. Unless they’re orphans or poor. Then they gotta grow up real damn quick.”
10:36 PM
Are you infantilizing Ariel again?
10:36 PM
“Don’t make this fucking weird. There’s always comparisons to be drawn between different kinds of human relationships. And anyway, she’s clearly gone through some heavy shit I haven’t.”
10:37 PM
Then why is she ‘nicer’ than you?
10:37 PM
“Because she isn’t, actually. Or she’s better than me. I don’t fucking know.”
10:38 PM
This is beside the point. Is that really it? If Michelle were around you’d… gloat to her about some philosophical victory won over her?
10:39 PM
“I don’t fucking know. It’s a dumb question! I’m dumb for thinking about it. Death only means anything because it’s final. If I could talk to Michelle again, I wouldn’t have any reason to say anything.”
10:39 PM
So there’s only worthwhile conversation to be had with corpses.
10:40 PM
“I would ask her if she was happy. Okay? If she thought it was all worth it for her. That’s not the same as being okay with dying. But, that lifestyle, did it really give her anything?”
10:40 PM
What lifestyle? You knew nothing but a shadow of her.
10:41 PM
“Okay, well I’d sit down and have a long fucking conversation to make sure I understand her lifestyle. What do you want me to say?”
10:42 PM
I think you’d ask her if she was satisfied living without knowing you. And she wouldn’t know how to answer that. Because obviously that part of the answer was yes. You were just a cashier.
10:43 PM
“Yeah, whatever. I don’t think I would ask that, because it makes no sense.”
10:45 PM
The area lights up as a sky of stars. Each star a name and face, a person in the world. All their connections drawn constellations. And these relationships are just the ones I know of. What I could keep track of, what people I’ve met.
10:46 PM
“There’s so much to people. And all of it is based on so much trivial bullshit. I never thought of Michelle as viable for anything because she’s a basic bitch who was obviously straight.”
10:47 PM
You’re pretty hung up on a trivial qualification to relationships yourself. And… viable for ‘anything’? Such a one track mind…
10:48 PM
“Shut up. I’m right. It’s what drives humanity. Everything else is just ‘nice to have’.”
10:50 PM
It’s what drives you. Don’t give me some pansy ass appeal to nature. Obviously we both get the contradiction there. Oh, but I guess it could be biologically viable! Only you can get pregnant, though.
10:51 PM
“Shut up.” I hiss. “She wouldn’t say that. Michelle would not fucking say that. This exercise has outlived its point.”
10:52 PM
Are you sure? You don’t know her. You never will.
One of the stars flickers and goes out. The threads connecting it to others slowly lose their form and tautness, dangling down. Whatever passes for ‘down’ here. They become like strings with the puppet cut off.
10:53 PM
“I don’t need anyone! I can do anything, alright? If something can be achieved by me, I’ll put in the work to do it, and if it can’t, it’s not worth caring about!”
10:54 PM
That doesn’t make sense. The first sentence isn’t connected to the others. I think you’re just making excuses, Dana.
10:56 PM
“Get out of my face, you farce. You ghost. DELUSION.” I grab Michelle by the collar and push her against the wall. A vertical surface is present in accordance to my assumptions, the same way I somehow stand when not consciously flying.
10:56 PM
Oh, man. Is this what you’d say to her? Haha.
11:00 PM
“Hah.” I also laugh. It’s a funny situation. Brawling a dead girl. I look up at one of the remaining stars, with a withered, severed thread. Presumably it was connected to Michelle. The others remain, but all are similarly faint or damaged. It does not seem like this gold-light-emitting neutron star is part of any major culturally recognized constellations.
11:00 PM
“Is…”
11:00 PM
Yeah. Exactly.
11:01 PM
I guffaw. Giggle, chuckle even. “Amazing. Real clever stuff.”
11:02 PM
Dana, I think there is something wrong with you.
This one sounds more like Michelle, actually. I hurl her into the aforementioned celestial body.
11:03 PM
Her body approaches, then quickly becomes unrecognizable as any particular form. I’m not so fucked up as to imagine detailed viscera, thankfully. “This was stupid.”
11:04 PM
The weight of that dead girl was just enough. It was able to push things over the threshold. The gold star flickers too, and to a layman’s eye, it might seem like it was snuffed out, same as Michelle.
11:06 PM
But that’s not true. It’s still there. It just doesn’t look like the others. The threads all collapse inward to the space where it “used” to be. They snap off of their associated stars with a loud crack. But such separation is not to last long, as the closer ones also spiral inward to the same position.
11:08 PM
The trails of light begin to make this seemingly vanished presence visible again, via the trails of light all converging. It doesn’t stop. It won’t ever stop. Sometimes the threads pull one in, and other times they break, but either way, it’s just a matter of distance. All of them are eventually absorbed into the destructive mass. Even the brightest, the most beautiful of all, cannot escape the gravitational pull of a black hole.
11:09 PM
A memory, a canyon, the carriage and the two in it, scenery that didn’t even exist before, generated only to convey the scope of destruction.
11:09 PM
The joke is that Dana Craig is dense.
11:10 PM
I sit down, not bothering to look at this rampage. Is it self-mockery? Maybe. Maybe not. Black holes are kind of badass. The same way not looking at really flashy explosive destruction behind you is badass.
11:11 PM
I hold on pretty long, all things considered. Stuff very distant starts to be affected before I’m meaningfully shaken from my position. But you can’t really escape yourself. I’m absorbed into me, too. And then I wake up.
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((End session))
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((Saturday but it’ll be short))
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((“Dana wakes up in a room with the entire cast of Advehnt Guard. End session”))
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Dana woke up in her room the next morning. She’s sure that that whole dream was just made up by her unconscious mind.
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There’s really no use dwelling on the part of the dream that definitely wasn’t some normal construction of my unconscious mind right now. I sigh, and check my phone for the time. Not like it matters. I’m basically on no schedule.
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It's morning.
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Cool, yeah, good.
5:58 PM
I leave my room to the other room in my house, where presumably Grace Rollins is.
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Grace is still asleep.
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Okay. I eat breakfast, meaning have a drink. I idly browse the internet.
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Grace yawns and slowly gets up. "...?"
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“Hey.”
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"Hey..."
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“Morning.”
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"I assumed."
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I chuckle. “Fair enough. You sleep alright?”
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She pauses. "…Yeah."
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“Yeah, good. Okay.”
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"…Feels like it should’ve been better, though."
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“There’s never any real pattern to it, I’ve found.”
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"I just like finding patterns."
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“Most people do.” I stare at a wall.
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"Do they?"
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“Yeah. Pareidolia. Helps us survive.”
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"…I don’t know what that is."
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“Seeing patterns in random stimulus, in background noise. Faces in electrical outlets or messages in a reversed song or a man in the moon. …Or constellations.”
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"How exactly does that help us survive?"
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“I guess I misspoke, pareidolia is kind of like… when it doesn’t work. But people finding patterns is important. Being able to pick out a silhouette in the dark, noticing what mushrooms make people sick, the entire idea of science. It can be the difference between life and death. Better safe than sorry, I guess.”
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"…I guess that makes sense. What helps us is just also what hurts us."
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“Heh. I’m sure I’m the first person to tell you that you’re kind of a downer.”
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"…Sorry. I’ll try to work up the party girl spirit."
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“Good to have aspirations.” What the fuck are we talking about right now?
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"So, uh… Your girlfriend. Is that going well?"
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“I guess.”
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"What do you mean?"
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“I mean, having one at all is much better than I ever really thought I’d get.”
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"Oh. So you don’t really love her?"
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“What? No.” I shake my head.
7:17 PM
“I mean, what does that even mean? It’s the kind of thing that’s a waste to think about. Pareidolia. I’m…”
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"…"
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“It’s nice having someone. To just talk to. Or anything.”
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"I get that."
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“These labels are awfully fuzzy. It’s just not clear what it means to be someone’s…. whatever. It’s about building up an intuition.”
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"You just… know?"
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“Sure. Ideally.”
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"…" She pauses. "Do you want me to leave?"
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“No. Not particularly. Why?”
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"…I was just- I don’t know…"
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“What do you usually do, Grace? Like, on an average day…”
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"Drugs with Grobber. Therapy with Carolyn. Sometimes I visit you too. And then, most importantly… I talk to Michelle. I kind of… Burnt through that list. I don’t really have a life anymore."
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“Mm. I can understand the feeling. Though it’s not like I lost much. Or had much to lose. Just don’t have the same 9-to-5 anymore. It’s a lot of responsibility to suddenly have time you need to choose for yourself what to do with.”
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"…Do you think Carolyn could tell me what to do?"
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“No.” I quickly think of something to say to justify this. “She’s concerned with the finite. I think this kind of listlessness is out of her wheelhouse. I mean, when I had that job, what I wanted more than anything was to not have to do it. And then that came true. And I don’t regret it! It’s just ‘what now’. Which, isn’t quite the same, but…” I sigh. “I mean, losing Michelle is just an unabashed tragedy. But your ability to part with Carolyn is a success, and whatever your thing with Grobber is, if you wanted to leave him as someone he hated, I think I’d be pretty spiteful towards about everything in his shoes about now. There’s just always more. The day after the ending. That’s what Blythe doesn’t understand, and why I admire the professionalism of recognizing when her work is over.”
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"Always more… It’s kind of intimidating, no? I don’t want to waste my happiness by dying now, but… I dunno, it just feels like the end? Like… Good job me, I figured it all out. The end. Fade to black. …It almost feels wrong for things to continue."
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“Probably the fault of media or something. Life’s about living. Not trying to reach some point where you’ve won it.”
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"…I guess. I dunno, it’s just… Weird. I won, so… What’s next? Even if this is how life is supposed to work, I just… It’s hard to live life without knowing the end."
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“Statistically it’s heart disease.”
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"Huh?"
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“I’m pretty sure, at least.” I look it up. “Yeah. Cancer’s number two. Jesus, suicide’s in the top 10? That’s kind of fucked. Anyway, the takeaway is that every ending sucks. It shouldn’t be about the end.”
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"…That makes sense. Michelle, she just… She loved these cheesy kind of movies. Where you’re just kind of in it for the fun, right? But the main character, he always ends up in a good place. And then the movie ends, and you’re left in some vague sense that things will stay good for a long indefinite time even if you can’t see it yourself. It’s like… I wish I could just do that. Just step back and let it all just kind of… Feel right."
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((It will shock and appall you to hear that I am done for the day.))
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((Saturday))
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((exciting. so hype to have the session where i get two lines of dialogue before reaching a pause stepping on the plot tripwire you probably expected me to last time, the day before I do that to natyobb))
3:19 PM
((Actually having family on Saturday so I’ll probably be inconsistent in responses))
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((I made someone pass the plot tripwire ahead of time thankfully))
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"…That makes sense. Michelle, she just… She loved these cheesy kind of movies. Where you’re just kind of in it for the fun, right? But the main character, he always ends up in a good place. And then the movie ends, and you’re left in some vague sense that things will stay good for a long indefinite time even if you can’t see it yourself. It’s like… I wish I could just do that. Just step back and let it all just kind of… Feel right."
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“Well, cashing in your chips, quitting while you’re ahead, that’s one thing.”
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"But... How?"
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“It depends on what it means. Harrison Ford pulled outta playing Han Solo since he knew it was only gonna get worse. Professional athletes retire in luxury when they’re past their prime. If you’re talking about life, then nothing really lasts forever. You can step back by killing yourself, sure, but that’s obviously just destroying it.”
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"Yeah… It’d be so simple if we just weren’t real."
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“Not really. Sometimes that just ends with someone dying. Or it doesn’t end. I don’t want to be in a world of family guy.”
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"A story can’t just… Not end. As long as something’s wrong, the story goes on. And when it’s fixed… It ends. Family Guy’s going to have to end someday when they’re all good people or whatever."
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“There’s a lot of different things to consider in need of fixing, though. Also, I don’t think Family Guy has character development. Pretty sure it’s continuation is dependent upon financial success and ratings, not if the artistic vision of John Familyguy is completed.”
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"…I wouldn’t know. I don’t watch it."
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“Well, neither do I.”
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"...Oh."
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"…I should probably leave, right?"
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“Um. I don’t know. I don’t mind you being here, but…”
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“…But?" She got up.
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“I guess it’s like that. Earlier. Quit while you’re ahead. I mean, this is good, right? For our relationship. Some introspective discussion and a night together. If we go on longer, maybe it just ends in someone getting angry again.” I take a deep breath. “I mean, that’s my premise. She’s fun to have around for like 3 hours of trying to set the bar for standards as low as possible, but she is not a person to often choose to interact with. She seems to be like this around everyone, except maybe the few times you've seen her with Ariel.” I chuckle, despite saying nothing funny. “I get that voice too; telling me I’ve peaked, exhausted my potential. But it can go fuck off to hell. I’m always gonna want more. They’ll have to take that future from me kicking and screaming.”
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"…Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind." She walks to the door and opens it.
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I take another swig of what it is obviously way too early to imbibe. “I’m gonna be… REAL pissed if I see you in the news, Grace. Cause it’s like… all the witnesses and people the person knew are like, oh they seemed all quiet and mild and nice, never thought they’d do something like this. But. If you spend a night with me and ya go, hey Dana, I no longer feel comfortable in the places associated with my own life right now, and I’m going with you because I have no one else, and geez Dana isn’t it the worst how you have to keep on going through the struggles of life day to day wouldn’t it be nice if things could just be perfect and stop and by the way I’m not seeing a therapist anymore, and then, then if you go and kill yourself I just look like a fucking dumbass, right? Just get a hobby, man. Do something less predictable. Orchestrate a prison break, I don’t care. Whatever.” I cough.
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"…" She stops. "Dana…" She turns around and walks back towards her. "…Do you mind if I do something stupid?"
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“I’ll probably be able to handle it.”
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Grace kisses Dana.
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I stare in shock. Then, realizing I don’t want to send a negative impression, I smile slightly. But also frown to indicate a lack of endorsement. I settle on an incredibly neutral expression, then sigh. “Yeah, good. Okay. I’ll see you around, Grace. I’m… really glad I met you.” What? What does that even mean?
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"…I’m really glad I met you too." Her expression is unclear. "…Dana?" Ariel walks in, thus completing the most cliche recipe for romantic drama of all time. What a cheap way for this to go.
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Three truly is company. “Hi.”
8:20 PM
I’m cool as a cucumber. Probably.
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"…Hi." Grace. "Hi." Ariel.
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“How did… things go? I’m sorry I didn’t really get a chance to meet with you again yesterday.”
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"It went well enough, if you consider getting robbed by a man in a wheelchair to be well." Howard also walks in. Grace panics and backs up. "Just to... Avoid any confusion. I'm here too." Kingsley walks in. "That's it, that's the end of us. There's no 4th person. Well... Unless you count you 2 who were already here. In which case, there would be 5 of us total. But no 6th... Or 7th for that matter." "We get it, Kingsley." Howard.
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Wow. Five truly is company. “Incredible. Hello, officer.”
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"Are you here for me?" Grace. "No, I didn't walk into Dana's apartment to arrest someone for beating me with a chair. Really, I didn't bother to think about if that was a possibility at all." Howard.
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“That was you?!” Wow. That’s one hell of a mystery that wasn’t even really a mystery and nobody thought would get solved. But it was actually solved.
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"...Maybe. Allegedly." She whispers to Dana. "What's a good legal defense here?"
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“Okay, but the wheelchair is a different thing? And that was with Ariel?”
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"It was Sean Niebel." Ariel. "Somehow." Howard. "But I doubt we should be talking about certain things with that girl around. She's on Carolyn's side." Grace looks away uncomfortably.
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“Sean Niebel is in a wheelchair?”
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"...Not anymore." Ariel.
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“Okay. I guess that’s not really important.”
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"...I should go." Grace starts walking for the exit. "It was nice seeing you again!" Ariel. "You didn't... See that, did you?" Grace. "Of course I did. Why?" Ariel.
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“Also, why would you ask that? What context would that be a…” I sigh. “Okay. Bye.”
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Grace hurries out of the room. "Are we past all that? Can we move on?" Howard sighed. "Back in my day, romantic drama was much more violent. Made it much more worthwhile to watch."
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“There’s no drama. I’m cool about it. I’m being cool about it. Anyway, what’s this about sides? Carolyn is insane, but I don’t see how she’s anything but a lone wolf connected to others by circumstance.”
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"She's working for the mob. …Like Gus did, before they cut him out." Howard.
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“That seems like an oversimplification. I don’t think any organization can afford to knowingly work ‘with’ her. But I suppose it’s the same in the end.”
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"No, they're working with her. Directly. She's just one of their pawns."
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“An unusual arrangement. But I’m not one to talk.”
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"Speaking of Gus, his funeral is this morning. In your shoes, I’d assume they’re about to go for another attempt at revenge today. Kingsley’s going to hang around you again just in case. He’ll keep his distance, you don’t have to worry about him listening." Howard. Kingsley nods. "That’s right. I have no interest in listening on your romantic conversations, because I’m apparently gay." Howard looks at him with confusion. "…'Apparently'?" "That’s what Detective James told me." Kingsley.
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“Why the hell do they think I killed him? I’m not the lady who murders people because she’s insane he died in front of.” I roll my eyes.
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"No clue. Best guess would’ve been some kind of link between Johnner and Blythe, but I can’t find a thing. My hunch says maybe his boss is connected to her somehow, but I still haven’t identified him. Of course, there’s the coincidence of Marco Gould also allegedly killing himself, but the following leap of logic is simply absurd." Howard.
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“Is Johnner like… his real name?”
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"That’s what it says in government documents. Odd name though, I know."
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“Okay. But Johnner… he’s not who you’re looking for, right? It’s why this happened, why Gus actually died. The person he thinks I am, I guess.”
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"Carolyn definitely did it… But ultimately, she’s their pawn too. And they’ll fight like hell to keep her safe, for whatever reason. Johnner’s only 2nd in command. The top boss keeps his identity well-hidden, but as soon as we’ve got him the entire organization will crumble and run." Howard.
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“But he was on their ‘side’. It’s not like I can’t imagine things going awry such that they try to off one of their own men, but it’s odd to just imminently assume that to be the case. Same with there being someone above Johnner… I have doubts about his competence, and he talks like he’s working directly under god or something, but neither are exactly hard evidence.”
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"I’ve got no doubt. I’ve run into the guy enough times to know I smell a lapdog. He’s not doing anything of his own will. He’s a figurehead, and a pretty terrible one at that, but he’s certainly loyal. Whoever this god of his is, it’s a real guy." Howard. (edited)
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“…Intriguing.” Can’t make any hasty conclusions.
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"We’ve got a high ranking member of the white suits in custody. The goal is to get her to rat on the rest and tell us where the hell Johnner's hiding. Chances are we’ll need you down the line for cleanup." Howard. (edited)
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“Her, hm? I wonder… are these people, like, seriously color coordinated? Is that a thing with them?”
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"What do you mean?" Howard.
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“I don’t know. I guess Johnner didn’t dress like that, but… The White Suits?”
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"They’re a side organization. It’s complicated. The point is that they all work for the same guy, and only know each other through Johnner."
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((Saturday))
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 2:03 PM
“So they don’t know each other, but they’ve coordinated their attire? Is that like… something he set up?”
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"No, I mean... The only link between them and the main gang is Johnner. The white suits are organized together." Howard.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 2:11 PM
“Oh, okay. That makes more sense.” I remember the plot of Advehnt Guard. “I guess I met one, incidentally. Long before seeing the guys I did yesterday. Unless it was just someone dressed the same. He said his name was Jay. No idea where he’s gotten to by now.”
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"You mean the one your girlfriend turned over to us, who then pretended to be you?" Howard smirks. "I let them out on a bit of a pet project... He vanished."
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 2:23 PM
I look at Ariel. “You never told me that.”
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"I was trying to do something." Ariel. "It didn't go well for her, you could say. Only information I gave her is what I've divulged to you separately. She isn't exactly the most useful person in the world." Howard. Ariel walks next to Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 2:34 PM
“No, I don’t… that was before the Rumen stuff, and so before I even… you were… already working with him?”
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"It was a small exchange of information. I was trying to help you. But... That's when I knew for sure. I couldn't do this without you." Ariel.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 2:48 PM
“We…” I frown, looking probably just a little bit lame. Should I believe her? No, even believing her… is that really okay? Definitely not. It’s a clear breach of my trust. It isn’t really that different from what I myself did yesterday. Negotiation with Carolyn that would be in everyone’s interest but nonetheless I couldn’t do in front of Grace because she’s crazy and stupid. But I’m not that irrational, am I? Does she really think that of me? Did she just never get the chance to tell me about this? It’s not like I haven’t tried hiding things from her… there’s that whole business of setting up multiple pseudonyms so I have one she doesn’t know is me, that never stopped being a thing that happened. But that’s self-defense, and she’s never putting herself in danger the way I do. Would I have been unwilling to take whatever deal she made myself? And was that something that would’ve been my mistake, or would I still not do it now? Ugh. Can’t show weakness in front of him. “I don’t really understand, though. What was the information? And how did he just… ‘disappear’?”
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"I just told her who the white suits are. Just mobsters. I wasn't exactly holding that close to my chest, but that's all she got. As for how that guy vanished, you remember those bandages he had instead of a face? A different guy put on the same costume after buying it in Shelk, then set off the fire alarm in Carolyn's apartment complex. It was annoying, to say the least." Howard.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 3:13 PM
“It’s a costume?”
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"Not on him. Someone recreated it by hand, though." Howard.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 3:24 PM
“Why? Also how does that make him disappear? You mean, like, he was arrested?”
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"It means he confused us."
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 3:30 PM
“Oh. Did you lose track of the imposter as well?”
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"No. He just got wrapped up in some other nonsense. It’s a whole mess." Howard.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 3:36 PM
“Well, I can’t imagine a more specific way to describe that.” I shrug.
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"That should be all." Howard turns to leave. "I’ll see you later, Craig."
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 3:38 PM
“Why did you even come here? Couldn’t you have just had Kingsley tell me what he was doing himself?”
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"…I had to go somewhere. Wish me luck, this could be my last day." Howard chuckles and leaves.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 3:45 PM
“What? What does he mean by that?” I wonder aloud.
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"Well, everything should be clear now." Kingsley tries to seem authoritative.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 3:49 PM
“The rules of the day have been made very clear.” I sigh.
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Kingsley nods. "Well, you’re certainly more fun than your boss." Ariel takes Kingsley's hand. "What is- What is happening?" Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 4:00 PM
“A handshake? I guess? Jesus, maybe you are gay. Or the opposite.”
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"But I wasn’t offering a handshake…" Kingsley. "It’s alright." Ariel is still holding his hand. "Umm… I may not be a detective yet… But my amateur detective’s intuition is telling me I’ve been caught in an unfortunate situation." Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 4:11 PM
“Is that what this is?” I cock an eyebrow.
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"Well, you had Grace too, right? He seems useful." Ariel says this like it answers everything.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 4:18 PM
“I don’t ‘have’ anyone. And yeah, I’m sure he is. That’s the reason he’s here.”
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"Well, you have me at least." Ariel. "Do I… Do I have to be here for this?" Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 4:25 PM
“I don’t know, do I?” I ignore Kingsley. “Our relationship was already confusing and unclear enough before we started describing it in verbs.”
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"What are you talking about?" Ariel. "I don’t really… Like watching people fight." Kingsley, whose hand is still being held by Ariel.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 4:29 PM
“This isn’t a fight! It’s just a normal conversation.”
4:31 PM
“Look, I couldn’t exactly get into that when mister mutually assured destruction policeman showed up, but whatever you think is going on, I’m sorry? I haven’t done anything to Grace. With Grace. Whatever is going on with her is on her initiative and decisions.”
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"I haven’t… Done anything to your girlfriend either-" Kingsley. "Dana… You don’t have to lie to me." Ariel does not even sound mad.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 4:38 PM
Get mad at me, you pussy! “No! I don’t… what do you even think I’m lying about? It’s sus that she slept in my home, I guess, but that’s all she did! I sat through a lengthy emotionally draining experience for her and she wanted to not be in an empty home when she slept and, I don’t know, I wanted to be a good friend for a change??”
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"If I may…" Kingsley raises his hand. "From what I’ve heard about you, that does make it seem like a lie." He looks at Ariel. "Not that I… Endorse the rest of what is happening."
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 4:45 PM
“What you’ve heard about me? What the fuck does that mean?”
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"From… Howard. And from Ariel. From what I’ve gathered, you seem like a very selfish woman. Someone motivated by sexual pursuits rather than some kind of ideological advantage. If I found your body, I’d assume it was a crime of passion… Not of belief. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing. Detective Scott and many other brave cops stop criminals because they seek something in return. According to him, all people do this. We just… Pretend not to when it makes us feel bad. Therefore, those who are unapologetic are more honest with themselves. Overall, I believe you to be a very inspirational person, but one who’d very easily throw me away if it became convenient. That’s my assessment of you, at least." Kingsley. "I didn’t say any of those things." Ariel. "It was implied." Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 4:59 PM
I… they think I’m… the… “Ha… ahaha…. yes, an interesting take, on humanity, nature of people, mm, heh, yeah, haha, I’ve wondered that sort of thing myself…” I’m calm. It must be chilling to them how unfazed I am from this fradulent outing as I totally dismantle him! “So, Kingsley…” I get uncomfortably close to him. “That’s just Howard’s take, though… that it’s how all people act… you don’t seem to think the same way, at least not confidently… what gave it away? My uniquely ideologyless pattern of behavior? Oh, and sex in particular, apparently. What lead you to that? I’m incredibly curious. Was it the fact that I ended up with a girlfriend? Perhaps the concept is a downright degenerate level of intimacy to you…”
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"I… I don’t- I don’t personally have my take. Detective Scott and Detective James both provide intriguing and detailed perspectives on human nature. I’m not… Smart enough to know what to commit to- Quite yet. If you’d like to debate their philosophies with your own, I would be interested in hearing it." It’s clear from his expression that this is the most uncomfortable moment of Kingsley’s entire life.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 5:22 PM
“God damn. What a statement. Sure don’t think this guy’d be killed ‘of belief’.” I look at Ariel smirking, with a ‘get a load of this guy’ point. “What does that even mean, anyway? What’s the ideological murders I’m missing out on? Jesus. I mean, the only person I know for sure wants to kill me is Johnner, who is mad at me for something I didn’t even do, hey look at that haha! Would that be a crime of passion? I guess that’d make you correct! If not, I think you’re overestimating a looooot of things about me. I’m a lot like you, Kingsley, y’see? I’m always getting pushed around as a bit player. I just carry myself with a little more self-respect in it. Maybe that’s better. Maybe worse, maybe…” I crack my knuckles behind my head. “What about you? If nothing else, you must know yourself, know what sort of guy you are to base your decisions on… riiiight?” I have an expression of earnest curiosity.
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"Umm… I don’t-" Kingsley. "If you’re a lot like him, I guess that must mean I have a type: You, Dana." Ariel smiles.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 5:29 PM
“Khg… ghkkrk…” I hold my forehead. “Really do have… quite some luck. Or maybe you could claim it’s my taste, some subconscious manifest… mm…” I’m just saying shit. What am I supposed to say? What’s even actually happening? “I mean, you know, a choice of my degrees of separation from a serial killer and a police officer, haha…” I lower my arms to my side. “Okay… I get it now, I think.”
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"Umm… To answer your question, I don’t particularly know who I am. That’s what I’m trying to find out. I want… To be a hero. A good person. And though I might be uneducated and naive, I want to find the right way to live. I just… I haven’t exactly found it yet. So I understand that I may have offended you… I’m sorry. I may be a police officer, someone meant to help people… but I’m still a fool. Glass houses… And all that. As Detective Scott would say." Kingsley clears his throat and looks around. "But… You’ve moved on. Right. The mystery you solved… That you get. What is it?"
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 5:45 PM
“I mean, I said it already. But neither of you were there last night. And I’m not sure if I really understood… I might just have been being edgy. But this… it’s obvious. I’m going to get called this and that kind of person even based on completely illusory reasons. So why do I bother with the pretenses, right?” I look at both of them as if either can answer or even really get what the question is. “You know, when I…” I gaze warily at Kingsley. Not quite eager to talk openly about magic being real yet. “…when things changed so I didn’t have to work at that dead end store anymore, I was elated. I thought I was free. But I’m not. Maybe no one ever is. There’s always something. I’ve just graduated to a bigger cage. And I’ve driven myself crazy in denial of that, but… it’s still an improvement, right? I think that’s worth celebration. And there’s always more time to further break out. No problem with exploring the territory I do have access to…” I chuckle. “Getting lost inside my own metaphor, sorry.”
5:45 PM
I stop my pacing around, and hold up both my hands in front of my face. “So fine. You got me. I’m bad news. I’m never going to have some higher ideal I submit to. I’ll try to keep people close, but always think of saving my own skin. I’ll do what I can to get the things I want, and lately, I’ve thought it might even never be enough for me. That’s all true. That’s the kind of wretched dirt-crawling creature I am. Congratulations.”
5:46 PM
“So I want some honesty in exchange.”
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 5:56 PM
I extend my hand towards the two of them, palm open, like that one Eminem render. “What is this? Like, what are you actually doing, Ariel? What’s the endgame of this interaction?”
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"A balanced polyamorous relationship." Ariel. "So that even if Howard turns on us for whatever reason... His employee wouldn't arrest his own girlfriend." "Is that... Is that true?" Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 6:04 PM
“Which fucking part are you aski—okay, whatever, I’m not even gonna touch the strategic angle of this.” I sigh. “But what does that mean, okay? Like, is he to you what I am to you? Where you’re a vaguely emotionally supportive presence and ask him to do things for you?” Okay, maybe tone down the cynicism a little. I don’t actually want to break up right now. “Just… I don’t know. Do you plan to… with him…” I interlock my fingers, trying and failing to think of what to say. “Hell, are you even into girls? I’ve seen more of your checkered relationship history than I ever thought I would, and I’m the only one I know of. I mean, am I paranoid, or is this you getting tired of not having a real relationship, but still not wanting to break this up? I get the whole… the polywhatever stuff, this is a new progressive concept, but…” I falter for words significantly longer.
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"I am into girls." Ariel confirms. "But you 2 are the same in how I see you too, I guess." "Umm... But... How exactly do you see me? What does- What is love? I'm not... I'm really sure what you're trying to make me do right now. I have no idea... If I could ever understand it." Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 6:21 PM
“Yeah, no one gets it, we all just pretend, be quiet for a minute.” I stop him from interrupting so much. It’s really rude. “But I would… I mean, would I be dating him, then? Maybe? I don’t understand if this is supposed to be comm…commutative. Or, otherwise…”
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"Sorry!" Kingsley shuts up. "Do you want to?" Ariel.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 6:38 PM
“What! Why would you think… N… um. I mean, yeah, obviously he’s definitely a cut above, probably just the most attractive male I’ve ever known, I can’t think of anyone else. But I don’t… I guess I’m just confused.” I shrug, with a jarring level of vulnerability compared to the woman giving a villain monologue just minutes ago. “I just came to terms with being a… a lesbian, first time saying the word about myself, just on Saturday. It’s imposing to have to come to terms with whether or not that’s true again.” I sigh. I’ve calmed down. We’re in the negotiation phase. “But I dislike the alternative even more. Where we’re both with you, but just… strangers to one another. You say balanced, but it feels like there’s a central instability in sentiments there, just on a blatant pure numbers level, which will only ever make things worse for both of us. And, uh, him too, yeah.” It’s kind of easy to forget he’s here. “Maybe… we can meet somewhere in the middle, then?” What? What the fuck am I saying? “And I’ll see if I can work through it over time, one way or another. I can make that commitment for you, Ariel. We’ll just be… close friends, with unspecified vague benefits, to start. Me and him.” ???? “Alright?” This is going to be a disaster. “I think this could be good, yeah…” It would at least clear a few things up, if a miracle happened.
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"And what about Grace?" Ariel. Kingsley looks like he wants to say something, but remains quiet to avoid being rude.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 6:46 PM
“I don’t… understand her. I can try to broach the subject in the future. I’m not sure. She seems very open to anything and very particular and intolerant all at the same time… I’ll… talk to her.”
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"So... You really weren't with her?" Ariel.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 6:56 PM
I blink twice in rapid succession. “No. Not in any way beyond what you already saw for yourself. She’s clearly interested, it’s just… an unusual situation. Two days ago I was pretty sure she never wanted to speak to me again.”
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"Oh." Ariel. "Am I... Allowed to speak again?" Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 7:02 PM
“What? Uh, yeah. Sorry.”
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"Umm... I don't mean to be rude, and I don't exactly want to break your carefully laid plans, but... I don't really... Know either of you that well? I'd feel quite wrong intruding on whatever... This is. Not to... Imply that my opinion should override yours. I'm not a particularly wise person, and in a democratic system you'd obviously outvote me... I'm simply, uh... It's- Is this how it's usually supposed to go?" Kingsley. "Yes." Ariel.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 7:15 PM
“Kingsley, nothing ever goes the way it’s supposed to. I get your job is to be the law, but the world is a mess, and everyone has their own weird ideas of how things should go. Now, you’ve got your say here. We literally can’t force you to do anything you don’t want to, especially since presumably you have a gun and we don’t.” He doesn’t need to know about the asterisks to that part. “But if you want my take — and this is after separating from my own personal thoughts on the situation — you’ve got a situation where you are literally being offered affection from the opposite sex for nothing, without doing anything or even having to reach out. If I was in your shoes and didn’t at least try to see for a bit where taking that leads, I’d spend the rest of my life regretting it.” Take the bait, chump. Actually, I wonder if it makes things better or worse for me if he’s gay. Hm. (edited)
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Kingsley looked at Dana with a serious glare. "So you think… I should do this? I’ll trust you then. …I suppose."
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 7:24 PM
A terrible mistake. “Cool.”
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"Oh, but… What if I am gay? I hadn’t really thought about it until someone told me I was. You’ve clearly placed a lot of faith in me… I wouldn’t like to let you down at my own fault.” Kingsley. "I go by he/him sometime, so you’ll be fine." Ariel. "Oh, uh- Okay. What does… What does that mean?" Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 7:30 PM
“Nothing, probably. Don’t worry about it.”
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"Understood." Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 8:06 PM
I smile. Innocuously. …Just as planned. You played your hand too much at the end, Ariel. The shock and hesitation of truly internalizing you weren’t being cheated on… it makes it clear this was all about that. A stock jealousy plotline. I called your bluff, and we’re stuck with him, this dude you clearly don’t give a shit about, for however long. And you’ve tacitly given me permission to just do that original thing openly! I almost feel bad… but, well, I’ll do my best to not make anyone miserable. “Do remember to help me not die today, though. Regardless of all that, haha.” I lightheartedly nudge him friendly-ways.
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"…Right." Kingsley stands there awkwardly for a moment before speaking. "If I was told one of you was 'occasionally' a man, I’d definitely assume it was you, Dana."
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 8:17 PM
Hah. Because he means metaphorically, likely due to my domineering attitude or lack of many stereotypically feminine signifiers, yet unbeknownst to him I have literally occasionally spent time in the body of a man throughout the past week. Talk about a humorous coincidence. “Yeah, well, maybe everyone is. I don’t know.”
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"I’m definitely more than occasionally a man." Kingsley. (edited)
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 8:18 PM
“Good for you.”
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"…Thank you?" Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 8:22 PM
“Yeah.” I look around at nothing in particular. “Uh, do either of you have anything you need to do today?”
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"…I’m supposed to watch you." Kingsley. "I’d like to find the paintbrush again, but I wouldn’t know where. So I guess not." Ariel.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 8:24 PM
“You lost it? Hm. When was that?”
8:25 PM
((Uh.))
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"Sean Niebel stole it. That’s what she trying to tell you earlier." Kingsley. "Thank you." Ariel says this to Kingsley. "I was just reiterating." Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 8:28 PM
“I see. Maybe something like that was his goal when we met and he kept badgering me.”
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"Ehn was directing him, too." Ariel. "N? The letter? Detective Scott said he was alone." Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 8:52 PM
“He knows about that? Or is this just someone like Ariel or whoever telling him. Kind of at a loss for info there. Regardless, both that and Niebel are perpetually elusive.”
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"That didn't really clear up anything..." Kingsley. "We could go on another subway date, the 4 of us." Ariel. "Why do you keep insisting Dana and the other one are together...? I thought that theory was disconfirmed." Kingsley. "Well, isn't it romantic to imagine people being together? Most shows are only as good as their will-they-won't-they." Ariel says this casually.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 9:15 PM
“I don’t know. I guess Subway is close enough… I just… I mean, I’ve been kidnapped, held at gunpoint, in a hostage situation, all more times in the past week than… well, the amount of times before that was zero, but you get the idea.” I neglect to address being the perpetrator of one of those hostage situations. “So when someone shows up and says, hey, today specifically someone might try to kill you, I’m pretty deterred from going out. We can go get food, there’s very little here, but beyond that, I just want to head back as soon as possible and wait this out.”
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"That makes sense." Ariel. "I think it would be best if... For security reason... I kept my distance during your date." Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 9:24 PM
“Yeah, sure, security…” I feel a little out of it. “Have either of you seen the film Clerks?”
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"No." Ariel. "No." Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/1/2023 9:29 PM
“Cool. That’s something to do later.” ((I am going to end the session here.))
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((Fair enough. Bye scipe))
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((Saturday))
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They continue to stand there.
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Dana Craig 7/8/2023 4:52 PM
“So…”
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"So?" Ariel.
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Dana Craig 7/8/2023 5:08 PM
“I guess… we should go get food.” I guess.
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"What happened to calling Grace?" Ariel.
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Dana Craig 7/8/2023 5:10 PM
“Oh. Now?” I have an expression on my face of some kind.
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"Why not?" Ariel.
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Dana Craig 7/8/2023 5:14 PM
“I don’t know, it’s just… I mean, I just saw her like an hour ago, so it would raise the question of why I didn’t say it then, and it seems also like it might be better to ultimately broach this in person…”
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"Why would that question be a problem?" Ariel.
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Dana Craig 7/8/2023 5:23 PM
“Because…?” How do I even explain that? “I don’t know, I guess it makes sense how I could’ve been too caught up in the moment there…”
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"But... Didn't this only start after that?" Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/8/2023 5:34 PM
"Sure, but that seems a little like absurd timing, doesn't it? It's not like some grand act of deception to not lead with it."
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"If you say so." Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/8/2023 7:01 PM
“I do.” Yeah.
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Neither of them say anything.
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Both of them continue to remain silent, waiting for someone else to say something.
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Dana Craig 7/8/2023 8:47 PM
“…Do either of you even like Subway?”
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"It’s alright." Ariel. "Yeah." Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/8/2023 8:58 PM
“Fine.” I open the door to the rest of the world.
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"But if Johnathan isn’t staying with us either, won’t it just be like last time?" Ariel. "Being called by my first name feels… Wrong." Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/8/2023 9:02 PM
“We can go somewhere else, I guess.”
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"But wouldn’t it be easier if you just called Grace?" Ariel. "…Can you please just call her so I don’t have to keep sitting through this argument." Kingsley.
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Dana Craig 7/8/2023 9:07 PM
“Wouldn’t what be easier? I don’t understand.”
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"Well, we’d have more people at the date." Ariel.
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Dana Craig 7/8/2023 9:19 PM
“I don’t… uggh.” I take out my phone, staring at Grace in my contacts. It may be true that putting this off won’t make it any better… Around how much time has passed since I last saw her?
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1 or 2 hours.
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Dana Craig 7/8/2023 9:26 PM
I… text her. That’s easier, as a start.
hey um are you available at some point today? just feels kind of unusual to leave things the way we did haha
God, what am I doing? Nonetheless, I send. If there’s not an immediate reply or indicator she’s read it, I put my phone away.
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'Sorry. I wasn’t thinking straight' She responds.
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Dana Craig 7/8/2023 9:30 PM
yeah i know it was super fuckin gay. im not upset or anything
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'Oh' and then, separately 'What?'.
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Dana Craig 7/8/2023 9:42 PM
i certainly was a little too receptive to claim otherwise
9:42 PM
God, I feel so sleazy and gross typing all of this bullshit out. The ends justify it, surely.
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'Where do you want to meet?'
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Dana Craig 7/8/2023 9:57 PM
My heart pounds. It’s not from love or anything of the sort, though. Nothing so cliche. It’s the sensation of impending death. Was it Grace who made that comparison? Of love to suffering… It reminds me of a puzzle book I once had. The famous one, with a farmer trying to cross a river with a wolf and a sheep. The interaction and rules of what states of the three are acceptable and what lead to a failure condition.
10:00 PM
If I am alone, I will die. That isn’t necessarily true, of course, but it’s been made exceedingly clear that I should not act without caution today. I seriously doubt Kingsley even has what it takes to protect me, but at the very least, the appearance of a cop being present is probably the most effective deterrent I have against getting targeted. But would that startle Grace? It’s like they said; she’s on the other ‘side’. I guess I pretty obviously need to put staying alive first, but still…
10:05 PM
And if I’m with Kingsley, where does Ariel go? Does she just stay by herself? It feels like she wouldn’t be okay with that.
10:06 PM
If Ariel’s there, though, that’s just obviously a recipe for disaster. I mean, I need to ease her into it if I don’t want…
10:07 PM
Hm. No, maybe I do want a clusterfuck, right? If she’s caught off guard, that puts me at an advantage.
10:09 PM
subway
I pause.
also btw uh. the cop from this morning will be there just hanging back out of earshot probably. it’s like a witness protection thing since the mob wants to fucking kill me today
10:10 PM
((End session))
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((It’s peak))
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((Saturday))
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Online / twitter / immxrtxlity007
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i dunno wht jessie was on if i was in breaking bad i would fucking do any thing to keep janelike forget the moment walt became heisenberg thats the moment i became death destroyer of worlds
8:28 AM
((when could this possibly have been sent? i don’t know)) (edited)
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / dana-craig
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does [TIME] work
I mention a reasonable yet arbitrary point in time.
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'Yeah'
2:12 PM
I stare at my phone. Why am I even doing this? I guess it’s worth a try. She really can’t be trusted alone, in more ways than one.
2:16 PM
I inform my companions of the arranged time and place. Why the fuck did I say Subway? I guess it’s too late to change now. Should’ve gone to like. Out back steak house. Least there’s some decent food there.
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They understand the information.
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This whole multiple partners thing… absurd though it may be…
2:31 PM
If I accept it at least for myself, what does that spell? I’ve wondered if my awkward past might be salvageable…
2:31 PM
It requires quite a bit of luck and happenstance, though. And anyway…
2:32 PM
I don’t think it’s what I want. There’s always been people around who like me. I want someone to love me.
2:33 PM
It’s just widening a net, at worst. I doubled down on Ariel way too quickly and irrationally and have been struggling with that ever since. Well, I mean, kind of. It wasn’t a MISTAKE, persay.
2:33 PM
When I know, I’ll know. And then I can focus my attention on what I’ve discerned I care about.
2:36 PM
Such an odd arrangement, though. A transgender woman, a cop, and a murderer fangirl with daddy issues. Sure know how to pick ‘em, Dana.
2:37 PM
I don’t know if I did, really. It kind of feels like all of those just happened to me.
2:38 PM
Ariel’s the closest to being my choice. Maybe that makes her special. Or maybe the worst of all.
2:39 PM
Well, there’s no need for melodrama. We’re in our 20s. This is what’s supposed to happen, right? Could’ve stood to get on it sooner in my teen years, but this is what being a young adult is for. You do stupid shit, get your heart broken, no harm no foul. It’s a good time for all.
2:42 PM
Honestly… if the circumstances weren’t starting out awkward… it does feel oddly plausible for this to happen unrelated to me. Ariel’s a little… I don’t know. The sickeningly sappy yet also charming optimism reminds me of Michelle. I think her and Grace could’ve hit it off. …Of course, I can’t have that, haha. Just leaves me and boy wonder alone in the corner to argue about the mafia or whatever.
2:46 PM
God, I haven’t even thought about how weird he is here from his perspective. I would guess he’s trying to get information from us or something, but he didn’t initiate this at all. And he just gave in like it wasn’t even his choice to make. Is that itself the appeal? Like, he’s… Is this a fetish thing for him? I decide to move on from this train of thought. I need to stay wary. Even with Kingsley around, I don’t exactly feel real fuckin’ safe. Practically setting me up for failure given his performance history.
2:48 PM
I’ll be passively on the lookout, at least. My life comes before romance.
2:52 PM
Having set exactly enough time for the amount of internal monologue she would have followed by however long it takes to get to Subway, Dana Craig (me) figures it’s probably best to go now. I’ll just put off the uncomfortable situation of putting myself out there forever if I never force myself. “I figure it’s probably best to go now.” (edited)
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"Alright." Ariel. Kingsley nods dramatically.
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Glad to see he’s taking this seriously. I begin the trek to the “subway”. “I just don’t get it. Half their marketing focuses on being healthy — which is obviously nonsense, and dependent on what you get, and irreversibly associated with pedophilia. And the other big appeal is this idea that you make the sandwich, which you obviously don’t.” I complain about this choice I made myself.
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Ariel follows. "You don’t?" Kingsley follows from a distance.
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“No. I mean, you have more options than a non-subway sandwich establishment, maybe, but you’re still choosing from what the place has deemed an option. Subway could easily print a menu with every permutation, and suddenly, I’m doing exactly as much ‘making’ as at any restaurant.”
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"Well, maybe it’s like watching the sandwich grow like a child. You and the employee are the parents." Ariel.
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“What?!” What the fuck?
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"It’s a metaphor." Ariel.
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“Just a… a really unusual one, dude. It’s… you’re eating the kid. Formed from a soulless financial transaction. I guess I’m being a little too literal-minded.” What would prompt anyone to decide to say that? “It’s certainly comparable in that… two parties, one of whom provides simply critical information about the makeup of the end result, and the physical production being relegated to one end. Um… in a biological sense.” Was that offensive? I didn’t even think about that. What the fuck is this conversation? “I don’t think Subway is a good caretaker, though.”
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"Why not?"
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“I mean, I guess it depends on when fucking—sandwich life begins. Is just the bread already a sandwich? And then the ingredient process is, metaphorical for raising it? It just seems callous to send it off when it’s finally found itself and become complete. I guess it’s trivially gonna fall apart as a comparison at some point. People aren’t food, generally.” I sigh. “Sometimes that’s how it is, though. You can expect the bare minimum, but then you’re on your own. Anything else just causes problems.”
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Ariel doesn’t seem to really understand any of that.
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“In this consumerist society, perhaps we are all the sandwich.” I say a fake deep quote as a joke.
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"Oh, okay." Ariel. They arrive at subway.
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I don’t think she understood the joke. It was bad on purpose.
4:25 PM
I enter the “subway building”, checking the time on my phone.
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It’s the right time, but Grace isn’t here yet.
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“Would be funny if I got stood up. Or if she saw us and bailed. Maybe you should stay somewhere else to start…? No, it’s probably fine.”
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Grace walks in awkwardly. "…Hi." She notices Ariel. "She’s here too?" "Hi!" Ariel.
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“Yeah, that’s kind of her thing.” I shake my head, regretting the incomprehensible quip immediately. “Sorry. Let’s, uh, grab a table.”
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"Don’t we have to order first?" Ariel.
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“What? I don’t know, who cares. I guess. Yeah, you’re right.” Dana Craig commissions a BLT on rye and a soda from the establishment.
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Grace and Ariel both order sandwiches as well. Grace looks uncomfortable throughout the whole process but says nothing.
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With gusto, I select and sit at a table. I check if Kingsley is still in the vicinity, even if he’s going forward with his plan as stated.
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He’s not visible.
4:54 PM
The girls sit with Dana.
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Uh… I definitely saw him before, at least. He was following from a distance, but… ugh. I just have to hope he’s still around. God, this was so dumb. Why did I give in to her pestering? This is a terrible situation. Whatever. None of that matters right now. It’s a separate axis of my life. Either I’m fucked or not. Nothing to do but wait. I enter THE ZONE, prepared for?? This conversation?????? I’m still probably visibly nervous, but oh well. “I’m sorry for doing this so abruptly. I know it’s an awkward interaction, and a terrible restaurant.”
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"…Right." Grace. "I like it, personally." Ariel.
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“You…” I turn to Ariel for clarification for a second. “Never mind. …It’s fine. It’s close by.”
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"Yeah." Ariel. "..." Grace.
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“Grace.” Grace… I look at Grace. “I… have known you for some time. And same the other way. Obviously. And… Regardless of the path taken, well, we’re still on decent terms at this point, aren’t we? I figure it’s been a functional, if eccentric, friendship.”
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"…Sure." Grace.
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“I…” I sigh. “Am subject to a frequent feeling of listless loneliness. Like I am in need of something that just isn’t there. You aren’t entirely dissimilar. You’ve basically told me as much, that you’re running out of functional connections. It’s not worth denying, I’d think.” I pause to properly word the next part, continuing my obviously optimal thus far conversation.
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"…Right." Grace.
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“We had an especially earnest, emotional conversation yesterday. A bizarrely intimate conclusion to an otherwise shitshow of a day. The intimacy increased. You have made explicit advances—the kind which a description of ‘suggestive’ would be taken as a deliberately comedic understatement—towards me that I have not rejected. We have compatible dispositions. We are both sexually attracted to women. Under such a circumstance, I think at least attempting a relationship is something that only makes sense.” I nervously chuckle, having reached the part of the conversation where I have to lie, or at least have no fucking idea what I’m talking about. “There is, however, obviously, a, uh, bit of a hitch to this not captured by what I’ve said thus far.”
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"…Right. Yeah." Grace looks at the floor.
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“That night…” I guess it’s a little weird to say that when you mean last night. “You asked me… what love is. Or what it feels like. And I thought that was really strange. I mean, wouldn’t you know? More than me, really. I gave my best answer, but it was kind of just a meaningless ramble. Because I just don’t… I doubt anyone knows. It’s probably just striving to constantly get closer to that state. Bumping into whatever walls, making whatever confusing turns or stupid mistakes it takes along the way. In a world that’s so disorienting and oppressive, the least we can do for ourselves is not commit to any restrictions or rules past whatever just feels right. So…”
5:51 PM
I force a smile. “Do you mind if we do something stupid, Grace?”
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"…What?" Grace looks at Ariel and then back to Dana.
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I take a deep breath. “Honestly, I thought the same thing. It feels off. Especially for me. I’ve ranted like twice in the past day about how I’m evil and selfish or whatever, and this kind of overly idealistic kumbaya-ass approach is way off-brand. I should be the type of person to dishonestly cheat on my partner, right? Well, I’m tired of being told by anyone what I should be. I don’t even think I’m deemed someone who ‘should’ have a relationship at all.” Am I being weird? I hope my point is still clear. (edited)
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"What are you trying to say?" Grace. "Polyamory!" Ariel.
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“Is that the word?” I raise an eyebrow. It’s also weird to say it so loudly. I’ve heard it before, but I wasn’t sure, and I think it helps my case if I act ignorant. “When I was where I was, where I… I ‘should’ be, an inexplicable miracle changed my life completely. That was the day I met Ariel May.” I state these sentences which are both true. “I don’t understand her. She’s reserved and outgoing, feminine and masculine, intimate and distant. She has ideas and levels of open-mindedness that are completely foreign to me. Honestly, she kind of scares me.” Pull back. Pull it the fuck back, dude. “But I think that’s a part of what love is. Perhaps. This was her suggestion. It seems like something impossible, too good to be true. But I’ll never know if I take that as a fact.” I really turn up the flustered blushy emotional act. This seriously might be my best plan yet, in terms of execution. “I trust… the worldview and judgement of my girlfriend. After all, I think I need to give credence to a perspective that saw value in me. And I trust your feelings. That’s my end of things. I just wanted to tell you the option existed. …Thanks for hearing me out, at any rate.” Feel like it kind of lost its steam at the end. Whatever. (edited)
6:09 PM
((Okay I’m adding fucking paragraph breaks to this message god damn))
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"Um... What? Is this a joke?" Grace looks around suspiciously. "Am I being pranked?"
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This is not a reaction I was hoping for. “No, not really. I’m sick of the bit where I treat things like this as a joke. I definitely have better material.” I shrug my shoulders. “If it’s a no, it’s a no. Couldn’t blame ya.” It begins to dawn on me that I have not prepared at all beyond the prospect of initially explaining myself.
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"..." Grace doesn't say anything. "Dana, this is where you have to do something romantic." Ariel whispers to her.
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“What? No, I just said everything. That was my whole deal, about feelings? What else do you expect me to do? I mean, you certainly didn’t… the only time I reached out in any way comparable to this, I was able to… hrg.” I avoid eye contact with anyone else. “Maybe my approach was… a little too stuffy. I shouldn’t have… I don’t know. I don’t know if there was a good way to try…” So you shouldn’t have bothered, obviously. This is so stupid. I’m here screwing around on a lost cause when there’s so much I should be concerned about.
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"I'm not sure... I'd know how to handle being #2." Grace finally answers.
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God, this would be so much easier if I was talking to her alone. “…I see. I won’t pretend I don’t understand the concern. You may not trust it, but I’ll state my case that I don’t think that’s true at all. I’ve known you a lot longer and spoken with you a lot more.” I feel the ever present eyes of the other person here. God, this is an impossible balancing act. “It’s… I just mean it’s less possible to reduce to a numerical ranking, and more like some sort of deranged emotional rock-paper-scissors. You two are qualitatively different in the sort of value you provide to my life, and I don’t think there’d ever be a situation where one gets in the way of the other. I also… I mean… I don’t think this needs to be centered around my existence. Like a harem or something stupid.” Well, wait, I do want that? Don’t I? I like when things are about me. At any rate, I guess that’s, just, not something I should say, so I’ll make up something else to say. “I know this is all sudden and a lot. But I think you’d like Ariel.” I’m going to freak the fuck out. This is so awful and I am destroying my entire life and everyone will think I am a FOOL and rightfully so.
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"I'm sorry, what?" Grace. "I think I'd like you too!" Ariel strikes a cutesy pose.
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Fuck. She’s so much better at this. “What part is confusing. Or is it all of it? I could understand all of it.”
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"Am I supposed to date you... Or her? Which one is the one who loves me?" Grace. "Both, maybe. I think that's what Dana's suggesting." Ariel. "That sounds... Overwhelming." Grace.
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“I guess? It’s up to you. Well, and her. Can’t really assign hard and fast rules to this. For me personally, I’m slightly uncomfortable with asymmetry and fine with that sense of being ‘overwhelmed’, so that’s the mindset I default to.” I rest my head on my hand and look at her slyly. Time to shift more towards the offense. “I feel like some part of you had to understand a little. You may have called it something stupid, making the moves on me, but I often find that those sort of instinctive thoughts are the most important to take into consideration.”
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"To be honest... I agreed to this because I thought you were going to yell at me about how bad of a person I am." Grace. "Don't worry, you didn't do anything wrong." Ariel hugs her. Grace's expression looks like she's going to melt into a puddle.
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“Hey, slow your roll.” I speak sternly yet not aggressively towards Ariel, the way one might reprimand a dog. “I mean… uh. Wait, hang on, what? Jesus. I mean, if you want berating, I kind of think you’re a bit of a freak. No offense. And have a few things to still learn about me. I don’t tend to get pissed or hold a grudge until I’ve been tangibly harmed, or something.”
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Ariel lets her go. "No! Not in a sexual way, at least... I don't think." Grace. "In all your years of friendship, you never slept together? I'm surprised." Ariel. "Wh- What kind of question is that?" Grace.
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"You have only accelerated your roll." I sigh. "I didn't mean it sexually. Not any more than like, everything is. There is something about the way you view the world, or like, the way you describe it, that drives me insane. It's the same way I might have been coming off to you, I guess." I gesture with my hand. "I mean, I guess I just never considered that it feels natural to you, but when you say stuff like 'i hope the people i care about HATE ME', it kind of feels like I'm getting fucked with."
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"Sorry, Dana." Ariel. "It’s…" Grace pauses. "Would you rather be hated or be forgotten?"
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"I want to win." I say this completely seriously. "I can entertain the question, but it starts with the acknowledgement that I think it's pointless."
7:59 PM
"I get it, sure. Being ignored is annoying. I threw a fit in Blythe's office because I was an accessory in a whole series of mishaps completely disconnected from my personal life. I've done... a lot of things in the past that can cynically be called 'acting out for attention'. I think that's only normal." I rest my elbows on the table, pointing at her. "But that's not a social impulse. When I overcharge a man for soda to fuck with him, it's not because I care about him or what he thinks. It's boredom, or spite, or some self-interested act. It's rare that I even act like that for anyone with the low baseline of me knowing their name. And, it can get complex, sure; even at its best, I think our friendship involved a fair bit of joking hostility, because that's just how some people roll. But there's a world of difference there."
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"I’m… Just not the kind of person people can get along with. Everywhere I go, I just make things worse for everyone." Grace.
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"Yeah, see, I get that. I would've assumed it was a self-perception thing, and I've felt the same thing. I think that's wrong, and you've got a distorted perspective on yourself, but the real bit that loses me is what comes after. Why resignation? Hell, taking that as true, why should that matter? I don't think I need to explain that this is a world where people aren't treated well or granted success based on any coherent metric. If I could only be loved at the expense of others, I would still pursue it." I'm, like, really drilling down to the core of issues here. Spitting some facts. This is great. I could be a fucking therapist, really. I guess I'm too mean for that.
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"I’m not worried about how I hurt them. I’m worried about how they don’t love me because of it. That’s why I have to make sure they care about me, even at their expense." Grace pauses. "Does that… Make me a bad person? Well, at least… If there is a god or someone defining morality somewhere out there. I have their hatred too." She laughs it off uncomfortably. (edited)
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"I doubt god cares about you. Maybe by proxy." I move on from this sentence. "I think you have a dumb definition of care. Way harder to be a supervillain than just some guy someone cares about. I also think it's demonstrably false that people don't ever love you."
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"…How so?" Grace. (edited)
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"Me? I mean, you could twist the fact that you sometimes annoy me for ideological reasons into hatred, but it seems like a semantics problem at this point. If anyone who has ever felt anything negative about you hates you, then sure, the only people who care about you all hate you." I roll my eyes. "And, well, I can't argue against this with certainty since I haven't lived your life, but come on. I mean, Grobber is a variable I could maybe believe anything about, the therapist was doing her job ignoring the can of worms that is everything else about her... And I don't know about other relationships you have. But... well, come on. We both know... she loved you. I don't think any extreme or hasty conclusions do anyone any good. Sorry, I didn't come here to bring up painful memories or fight you, I just..." I look down at my lap, avoiding eye contact again. I have to repress the urge to smile, actually. It's... perfect. If I can just thread the needle right here... (edited)
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"…Just yesterday, you were pretty sure I hated you. Did this really all spring up so quickly? I don’t… Are you trying to use me for something Dana?"
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I nod. "Yes. I am attempting to use you in order to feel less alone and unfulfilled. I'm not hiding this, nor am I sure what else it could be. I mean, I don't know if I love you. But I take everything I can get. That's what I am. And I think it's possible you understand me in a way very few people do. I fixate on the differences, but there are many things we see eye to eye on. And that... makes me happy. I feel validated by your existence. Doing things like allowing you to stay at my house makes me feel better about myself, and I know it wouldn't be the same for any random person." I reach out a hand. "Honestly? That's why I didn't make a move sooner, or first at all. It's not like it never crossed my mind. I am a very consistent person in my thoughts, and we've known each other for years. But I was afraid. Because I saw myself in you, and I think two people who are similar enough can create something wonderful, or be very, very dangerous. And because I don't think I was willing to love myself for quite some time."
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"…I don’t think I know how to be close to… Anyone. Without making it romantic. If anyone shows me any kindness, I can’t resist them. So… I don’t know what’s a good idea, and what isn’t. So are… Are you sure this is a good idea?" Grace looks at Dana with puppy dog eyes.
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I'm not able to hold back whatever bizarre smile I have now. "I can't guarantee anything. But I found an answer to my dilemma of the idea we'd only drag each other down into disaster, and it's the presence of a tiebreaker. I'm not going to wait any longer." I take a deep breath, calming myself. Gotta be less aggressive. Or more? "I can't guarantee I'll save you or fix you or whatever. I want to at least understand what the fuck your deal is more, which could incidentally help, but that's not a certainty." (edited)
8:58 PM
((accidentally sent early lol))
9:00 PM
"But I'll promise you this. You'll get something out of being with me. Something will be learned. I'm calling you out, Grace. I think you're full of shit. I don't just take people at their word; you want to tell me people who truly know you can only ever hate you? We'll see about that. Prove it. That's the antagonistic half." (edited)
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"…Alright. I accept. Your proposal. If that’s how that’s said." Grace speaks hesitantly.
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Conversation success. ((i am going to call it there for today because i've won advehnt guard))
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((Fair enough))
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((Saturday))
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((im gonna be on flights from like an hour and a half from now to like four hours after that))
10:03 AM
((I’ll be around when i can but would not expect massive progress))
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((For note you start because that last message is not something I can respond to))
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1984
2:29 PM
“Say it however you like.” I chuckle. “That’s great.”
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"…Yeah." Grace. "Yippie!" Ariel.
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“Whew.” I let out a deep breath. “That’s… yeah. Haha.” I spend thirty seconds eating a sandwich.
2:38 PM
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Grace and Ariel also eat their sandwiches. "So umm… How does this work? Logistically?" Grace.
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“It depends. I mean, there’s no rules. I can do anything. Up for anything, I mean. We could talk about changing our living situation eventually. Or not. I think the, um… my place is a bit cramped. Though we don’t necessarily have to do anything with that! I know you’ve got your own life to sort out there. It’s more… about spending time together?” I shrug. “Though, today specifically, I’m booked for a day of cowering in fear in my home trying to not die and watching films of dubious quality. So it’s a matter of if you’re up for that.”
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"Is this… Really so intuitive to you?" Grace.
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“No, I really have no idea what I’m doing. But there’s probably a power to that. True knowledge in knowing that I know nothing. Or maybe I’m just talking bullshit.” I yawn. “The point is this. I’m never gonna go to college, never gonna get a decent ‘normal’ job, never gonna have a husband. So I don’t feel the need to chase a ghost of acceptability. Dana picks and chooses what conventions she abides by. Everything’s intuitive once you accept you don’t need to listen to people telling you your feelings are wrong.”
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"A… husband?" Grace.
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“I am gay.” Dana Craig is gay.
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"Congratulations!" Ariel. "I… Know that. It’s just… I don’t understand why you said that." Grace.
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“Because it’s a social norm. I mean, okay, I’m not trying to say being gay is the same as those other things. But it contributes to what I am. There’s some vague ideal of normalcy gatekept from me even beyond my own flaws.”
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"…I see." Grace takes a bite of her sandwich. "I’m gay too, to be clear." "Congratulations to you too!" Ariel. "…Right. Yeah." Grace pauses again. "But I… I don’t really know how that’s supposed to work. Especially not with 3 girls." "And a boy!" Ariel. "Oh. What?" Grace.
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Oh, shit. “…Right. I forgot.” Full transparency, yeah? You can handle this. “That’s really more Ariel’s thing… sort of a, strategic [inaudible].” I fail to explain because I don’t actually get it.
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"What?" Grace.
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“Where the fuck did he go, though?” I vaguely look around. “Obviously he’s not an important aspect from his point of view…”
3:25 PM
This is a much easier question to try to answer.
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"I’m so confused, sorry." Grace.
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“I am too.” I mutter. Shit. Fuck. I’m so stupid, god. Literally in bed with a fed. Not literally. The non-literal meaning of literal. Fuckkkkk. Maybe I could have sorted things out if he was here from the get-go, but like this… Did I just trick a lesbian into hooking up with a dude? Getting super cancelled for that. It happened with me first, dammit. The problem is Ariel being here. I could totally smooth things over just explaining things to Grace myself, but if she contradicts any part of my account it’s all over. Fuck, this was so stupid. I should’ve just broken up with her and then tried to shoot my shot. Like she’d accept that???? I’m only desirable when I’m forbidden. She knew me for years and never gave a shit. But starting all over, it’s obvious I only went with Ariel out of desperation. Right? I mean, Grace, she’s much more my type. Which is the problem. I don’t want someone like me. I don’t want a friend with benefits or something, I need someone better than me, someone that… okay, I definitely need to talk. Say SOMETHING, dumbass. I go with a compromise half-lie. “Ariel is seducing a police officer for practical benefits and also because she finds him attractive.” Who cares. If she wants to contradict me, that’s her prerogative. Hell, I’d be happy to leave that to her.
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"Oh. What?" Grace. Ariel nods.
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“…Life has been a little hectic the past week or so. For better and worse.”
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"…Same here." Grace. (edited)
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“You crossed paths briefly. The little guy from this morning. Him. She kind of sprung that info on me right after, so I’m a little confused. Sorry for not mentioning it.”
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"Oh, I see…" Grace does not in fact see. "But that’s… I’m not supposed to be involved with him, right?"
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“…No.” I answer without wavering.
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"Okay, good. Then how does… Any of this work. Logistically." Grace. (edited)
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“I mean, I dunno, how does any relationship work? Hard to define. We, you and I, spend time together, dates or what-have-you. It’s probably what you’d normally assume, but sometimes Ariel May is there. Maybe the other guy occasionally, but he seems to usually have his own life going on. Schedules. I’d assume different points in time are more suited for two people rather than a crowd. And we… go from there, seeing what works.” Fuck, I’m so nervous. That was way too close to a genuine sentiment for this moment. Am I blushing? Maybe that would be endearing. Knowing me I probably just look incredibly sweaty. Ugh. I’m losing momentum. “Anything to add, Ariel? This was your idea…” There’s a mix of desperation and annoyance at the end there. Why am I doing all the talking?
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"I meant, umm… Like in bed." Grace.
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“Oh. Um, yeah. Yeah, right! Sex. Of course.” Yeah.
7:40 PM
7:40 PM
7:40 PM
7:40 PM
7:40 PM
7:40 PM
“I guess it would depend.”
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"Did you… Not think about that?" Grace.
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“N—I mean… I don’t…” I look down. Nothing but bad options. Everyone will hate anything you say here. Jeez. “I just didn’t expect needing to have a conversation, I don’t know. It’s not supposed to be like, a planned excursion, right? We wouldn’t be first time innovators involving more than two parties at once, but obviously just limiting to that is fine when…” I grimace. “Agh, this is the worst. I just… do I fuckin’ give advance notice? Hello, Grace, would you like to have sexual intercourse on this night? I don’t know, it’s… it’s something that’s either happening or isn’t, in my mind. Either it fades to black before the action or starts in it. I guess, this is why… it’s not a very…. exciting phase to… mostly just second hand embarrassment….” Some of those were sentences.
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"…Sorry." Grace.
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“No, it’s fine, you’re right to ask, probably.”
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"I just... I don't think I know how to share." Grace.
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“That’s… fine. I also… I mean, I’m not opposed to it, but for a first time, that would be, um, a lot.”
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"I mean... I meant generally." Grace.
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“Yeah, of course.” Not of course! We were just talking about sex, after you corrected me for being general, how am I supposed to keep up?! “I don’t know. I’d be lying to claim to have much authority on the subject, and this is a judgement call you gotta make yourself. I’d just… encourage an open mind. And mention that…” Uh…
8:22 PM
What do you even want? Was this necessary? I mean, you already had… …nothing. That’s the answer, right? That’s the key phrase that would settle all of this. There doesn’t need to be any sharing. Ariel May doesn’t love me. But of course I can’t just SAY that.
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They wait for Dana to finish.
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“…My own view is that if this results in some sort of conflict, I’d be happy there was just something worth fighting over.” I vaguely condense some sentiments I feel into a weirder sentiment.
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"Personally... I'd rather not fight. Because I know I'll always lose." Grace.
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I let out a short involuntary laugh. “Still nervous, sorry. It’s just a little… are you okay? That’s a fucking stupid question, god. I think… I mean, I agree. For me. I seem to only get by through the pity of others or some fluke. But I don’t… I don’t think it’s good to say that. In absolutes. It becomes a sort of self… I’ve wasted too long avoiding anything I knew was out of reach for me. But I didn’t know shit.”
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"It's just... An observable pattern. No one cares about me. Not really. So... If I loved someone... I'd need them to love me that way. To love me more than anyone else." Grace.
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“I’ll, uh, see what I can do.” This is the hardest conversation anyone has ever had.
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"How about this?" Ariel seductively tries to kiss Grace.
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Dana, who is me, makes an incoherent noise that could be interpreted as something involving the word “roll”.
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"That was… Nice?" Grace is completely disoriented. Ariel tries the same on Dana.
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I don’t resist. Refuse, I mean. It’s… nice.
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Grace also makes an incoherent uncomfortable noise as this happens. Ariel sits back down. "Now, you 2 can go."
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I smile awkwardly. “There is something seriously wrong with all three of us.” I said it myself, though. No more waiting. No more limits. No half-hearted peck on the cheek. I wrap my arms around Grace. One hand around the back of her head, restricting her gaze. Look at me. Look at me, god dammit! I’m right here. She’s dead, there is nothing left for you there. And here… stop being so fucking narcissistic. You want to belittle someone? Belittle me. Mock the prude, the virgin who couldn’t even find love when she found love. And so she comes crawling back to you. You want to cut yourself, you fucking dollar store goth? Let me know the already obvious fact that therapy did nothing for you? Don’t you dare. Target me. Claw at my throat. Defile me. I can take it. You won’t be able to stop me. I pull her in close. I steal her breath. The circulation of air, of life between us becomes one hideous amalgamate. I taste the forbidden fruit. I kiss her, dumbass.
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((End session))
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((Saturday))
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Grace stares at Dana intensely as they kiss. Her expression is pleading, desperate. She kisses her back.
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It lasts however I deign is long enough. I need to moderate myself, make sure I’m not grabbing her too roughly or anything. I pull back. There. See? Love. Don’t concern yourself with some authenticity you can never see for sure. I’ll handle that. You’ve got enough on your plate already, sis. “We’ll do the rest later.” I don’t turn my head away from her, but I avert my eyes from directly looking at Grace. “I think we’ve been abandoned, Ariel. Unless you noticed otherwise, I don’t think Kingsley’s been anywhere nearby since we came in here. He may have been compromised.”
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Ariel claps after Dana kisses Grace.
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Weird girl.
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"You… sure changed topics quickly. Was it that bad?" Grace.
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“No, that was great.” Not a lie, or anything. No complaints here. Obviously she’s no stranger to doing this. Should I say that? Might come off wrong. “I’m just paranoid. Rational. Given the situation, I don’t think it’s unreasonable…” I hug her briefly before pulling back and entering full Dana Craig schizo mode. “Best case scenario is that yeah, the guys just out of sight, or distracted for his own dumb reasons.” I scan the Subway™️ restaurant. “But the worst is that an ambush is already ready. I don’t think they’d be so bold as to storm a public venue, but outside of that…”
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"So what should we do?" Ariel.
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“Reconnaissance.” I withdraw some paper from the notebook.
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Grace watches but doesn’t say anything.
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“I didn’t mention it… at the time I thought it would make things more complicated. But I think I’ve met with the same entity Grobber has. I’m much more partial to what I got out of it.”
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"What did you get?"
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“The ability to pass out on command.” I chuckle. “Also possession, as a side effect.”
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"You get possessed?" Grace.
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“Nah, that would be inconvenient. I’m the one doing the possessing.” I write ‘Jonathan Kingsley’, which is obviously the only reasonable spelling for his name which I’ve heard.
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Nothing happens.
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Hm. ‘John Kingsley’?
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Nothing.
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“This doesn’t usually happen, I swear.” Fuck. That would’ve been a cool moment to step out for a bit. Shit. ‘Jonathon’?
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Nothing.
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Like. Can the full name have the h too? ‘Johnathan’?
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((You’re writing the full name right. It’s not just a contextless first name))
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((Yeah))
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Dana finds herself in the body of Johnathan Kingsley. He’s standing out of view, watching the entrance of the Subway intensely.
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Of course. Of course I’m just wrong. I glance at the closest reflective surface.
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There’s nothing reflective around.
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Annoying.
12:48 PM
Fuck. Why did I even do this? Am I stupid?
12:49 PM
If he really was in hot shit, I would probably have been stuck too.
12:51 PM
No, it wasn’t an unreasonable assumption that there’d be a way back. And it was useful info.
12:55 PM
Why would I think something had gone wrong? Didn’t he say that he’d be lurking out of sight? No, it was just that he wouldn’t be near us. Nothing about… Kingsley has to have a phone on him, right? I use that.
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He does have a phone.
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Okay. I attempt to view his reflection on the unlit glass.
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Dana finds herself back at the subway table. Ariel is hugging her unconscious body. Grace looks uncomfortable.
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“…We should be alright. Until he starts asking questions, I guess, but that’s a separate issue.” This is the worst. Well, is it? You’re still safe, for now. No, but…
1:20 PM
I non-aggressively exit Ariel’s grasp. It’s bad to use this ability frivolously. Too obvious. In the worst case, though, can I not just explain myself to Kingsley? He’s an ally. A tentative one, maybe, but I think he has it in him to betray me way less than these two. He’s a… well, anyway. And he’s only with us because his boss practically knows the truth about me already.
1:25 PM
But he doesn’t quite know. That’s important. I don’t just… I don’t want to get by because people pity me! By the grace of others. When it was just me and Ariel, that was fine, just accomplices, but all this… I’m just asking to get destroyed. If that’s true, though, why the fuck did I do that? Could’ve just stayed here. Waited things out, looked more carefully for him. Not like I had any need to leave. But I did, obviously! This self-deception shtick is stupid. I hate this. I hate these two, and I hate this situation, and I hate myself. For letting it happen. I needed to get out, even for just a second.
1:30 PM
Is that true? I think it’s less self-deception and more… well, still self-deception, but like… self-disambiguation.
1:30 PM
It’s not as simple as I’d like. I would just leave if I hated this.
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Fine, I’m excited. For the future. For the first time, like, ever. That’s exactly the problem. I can fuck up here. So just don’t. Obviously. Pretty sure ditching your own arrangement is fucking up. It’s already fucked, is the problem!
1:41 PM
Look how fucking miserable she is. That’s not something Ariel can see. But I can. The onus is on me to pull the plug. I won’t, though.
1:45 PM
I’m the only one accountable for my own actions. The only one responsible for myself. So I’m not responsible for anyone else. That’s the deal. She needs to come to that conclusion herself. Until then, I’m going to do whatever I can for what I want.
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"Dana I don’t… I don’t think I can do this." Grace.
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Oh, good, it’s ending already. FUCK
1:57 PM
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"I’m sorry." Grace.
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I sigh. “Mm. Yeah, that makes sense.”
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"Aww, what’s wrong?" Ariel. "I just… I don’t… I’m sorry. I’m not cut out for this sort of thing." Grace.
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“Definitely easier. If you know something won’t work, to just save yourself the trouble of being proven right. I understand, really.” Haha. Ah, man. So this is what rejection feels like. A lot of new experiences for Dana Craig. I think I’ve grown to understand you much better. Yes…. If I can’t have you, then a half-measure will only make me miserable. If you won’t love me, then commit to hating me, you self-righteous ass.
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"Aww, that’s a shame… Are you sure?" Ariel. Grace gets up. "…No."
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That’s a peculiar response, given the context. So this is it? That’s the end of this exciting arc in my life? Come on, dumbass. This is your moment. Your moment to turn everything around and say something at the climactic scene where she’s about to get on a plane or something. Figure it out. Nothing helpful comes to mind, nah. “…I guess I just still can’t believe this morning happened. That’s probably why.” I address this to no one clearly discernible.
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"I’m really sorry, Dana. But I just…" Grace stops, and starts leaving.
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What. What?! What do you fucking want? What do I do, huh? It’s over! It’s fucking over, so shut up! There’s nothing left! Nothing but retrospective. Where we go from here. So go ahead. Retrospect. Dana doesn’t have anything to say quickly enough to interrupt her.
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Grace leaves. "Don’t worry, Dana. She’s the tragic yuri type, right? So I’m sure she just thought you were too good for her." Ariel.
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“I’m not so sure.” It’s the polyamory, right? That was the operative issue. Explicitly. Oh, unless I was never on the table to begin with, and she just did that for her insane self-flagellation. Ah, that ugly bitch I get wasted with found a girlfriend, now she can offer me something I want. Yeah? Pff. I mean, that’s the better option. If it’s the former, that means I had a clear path forward. By. You know. Dumping the girl who just fucking cucked me for a policeman. The only person who has ever been intimate with me. That one. I mean, she wouldn’t care, certainly.
2:49 PM
“…should be fine on food, then.” I get up.
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Ariel gets up as well.
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“Subway sucks.” I say this, leaving the building. Hey, I guess someone two degrees away from the people who want to murder me knows about my ace in the hole now. Good job, Dana!
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Ariel follows. Kingsley runs up to them afterwards.
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“Hello.” I acknowledge his presence.
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"…Hi." Kingsley. "Hello!" Ariel. He doesn’t respond to that one.
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Wow. Lot to read into. Really compelling dynamic the three of us got going. I mean, that’s the fucked up part. I wanted her because I knew she would probably say no. Neither of these two would. How does that mean anything?
3:02 PM
“Let’s go, then.”
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"Right." Kingsley.
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I walk back to my home.
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They arrive home without issue.
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Good. Good stuff. I enter my home.
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Ariel follows. Kingsley does not.
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I shrug. “Your call, man.”
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"I’ll watch the hallway, just in case." It’s very clearly not why he’s doing that.
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“Right, good thinking.”
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Kingsley moves away.
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I shut the door on Johnahthahn Kingsley and his stupid name. I cannot muster up the energy to deal with you either, pal.
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Ariel sits down on the couch. "Dana…?"
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“Yeah.” Yeah with a period.
3:20 PM
I also lock the door, for whatever it’s worth. Security.
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"Do you remember what you said earlier?"
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“I say a lot of things. Which one?”
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"About how if we wanted to do it… We should just ask?" Ariel tries to strike a seductive pose.
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“Ah.” I’m alone at home with my girlfriend, exhausted emotionally. To be honest, it was what I was thinking of. I’ve held off because… yeah. But that’s the furthest thing from my mind right now. Who fucking cares? But I don’t like that she beat me to bringing it up. It’s like I’m always getting strung along for whatever she wants. Maybe I’ll regret this, but who cares? Everyone puts too much emphasis on ‘firsts’. It was going to happen eventually. But it’ll be on my terms. “I do remember, yes.” I sit beside her.
3:38 PM
You’ve already made me do too much of the talking today. Enough of that. It’s not that distinct of a maneuver than what happened with Grace. I guess I really am like that. That idea that… All women are the same to me. Eugh. That’s probably validating, though, at least to her. So maybe this is okay. The same obsessive feeling inside, the same awkward/compelling eye contact, all that stuff from the neck up. I don’t grab her the same way, though, holding the back of her head. I have confidence Ariel will at least feign paying attention to me. I grab lower.
3:39 PM
((I am ready to end the session and/or skip ahead an undefined amount of time.))
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There’s a knock at the door. "I’m not here to fight." It’s the voice of the red haired man Dana met in Bob's body. Ariel turns towards the door.
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“JESUS” Dana Craig topples comically over onto the floor.
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There’s noise of a scuffle outside as Dana falls over.
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Okay. Alright. I slowly bring myself to my feet. “This… that’s one of Johnner’s men. Fuck. God dammit.” Great timing, shithead!
3:50 PM
((Dana would diegetically misremember the same way I am right now if that’s not true.))
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"I’ve got him!" Kingsley. "Like I said, I wasn’t fighting back!" Red haired guy.
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“Is he alone?! What’s going on?” I shout to Kingsley.
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"He’s alone! I’ve handcuffed him." Kingsley. "I just want to talk!" Red haired guy.
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I turn to Ariel, overcoming the absolutely tumultuous set of thoughts looking at her fills me with right now. “You don’t know this guy, do you?”
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She shakes her head.
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“Who the hell are you?!” I am NOT opening this door blindly
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"My name is Gordon Joapajann! I’m a member of Jeff Johnner’s team and a member of the New Edlightenment. I think we both want the same thing here."
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What? “Every single part of that sentence says otherwise.”
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"I know. Right now, I’m supposed to kill you. But I'm tired of the senseless death."
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“…He’s handcuffed?”
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"Yes!" Kingsley.
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“….Uggggh.” If this is a thing where like, they’re holding Kingsley at gunpoint right now to say this or something, I’m gonna be so annoyed right before I die. I open the door.
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On the other side, Gordon is handcuffed and Kingsley is holding 2 guns.
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“Nice work.” I’m pleasantly surprised.
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"Thank you." Kingsley. "See? That’s the power of romance." Ariel. "I… Actually did it for Dana." Kingsley.
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“Okay, we— whatever this is, we’re not doing it right now. Gordon. Why are you here.”
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"I… I want you to kill Jeff Johnner." Gordon.
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“Believe me, I’d love to. Not even gonna bother questioning your motives. It can’t be done. Do I look like an assassin?”
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"You somehow made Marco Gould and Gus Amon kill themselves, didn’t you? I can get you into his secret hideout, and you can do your thing." Gordon.
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“I didn’t do anything to Gus. I’d never heard his name in my life until after he was already dead. …You can think what you want about the other guy. Why was he robbing a fuckin’ convenience store, anyway?”
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"To pay that Michelle girl’s debt." Gordon.
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“To…” I take a deep breath. “Okay. Fine. If you answer my questions, I’ll do what I can. Why did Michelle have debt, and why was Gould connected to that? It seems like a bizarre setup if the debt was to you guys.”
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"She was a serial con artist working for us. Johnner wanted her to take Grobber Brentwood's money but she cut contact entirely after that. Johnner decided he was owed something. And while we’re talking about it, her lead inside was some girl named Grace Wight. If you don’t kill Johnner, he’s planning to have her killed by one of his assassins too. It’s a matter of urgency at this point. I can’t let any more people die miserable." Gordon. (edited)
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“Jesus. Everyone around me was…?” Why does that bother me? It shouldn’t. It’s not like I give a shit they were breaking the law. I just… I sat at that stupid fucking register for… “Yeah. Okay. But I need to know everything you can tell me about Jeff. His whereabouts, any aliases he goes by, habits he has…” I still don’t really trust this man. I don’t want to make it entirely clear what I’m doing. But I need more info.
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"He’s in his hideout. It’s hidden as one of the employee only areas in the Avengard mall. I can take you to the specific one myself. I’ll do anything you need." Gordon pauses. "As for aliases, I think Jeff Johnner is a pseudonym. But he changed his name before he came to America, so I’ve never heard his real name."
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“Okay. …Was Gus Amon the guys real name? Just out of curiosity.”
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"I don’t see why it wouldn’t be." Gordon.
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Wait. That doesn’t make sense.
7:50 PM
“What…? …And Jeff’s current name — Jeff Johnner — I mean, he goes by it, it’s what would be on any, well, legal documentation he’d have for any reason…?”
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"I assume so?" Gordon.
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“Something… strange is happening.” Why didn’t it work? Is it a matter of personal identity? Could he really still consider a name he never uses who he is?
7:57 PM
“One more question. Do you know if there’s anyone higher than Jeff in the pecking order? Doesn’t matter if you know who they are or not.”
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"There is… But only he knows who they are. So if he dies it’ll all crumble anyway." Gordon. "That doesn’t really seem like a good structure for an organization." Ariel.
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This is just like Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind.
8:01 PM
I think it’s probably exactly the same. But that doesn’t help me.
Ehn/PC pinned a message to this channel. 7/29/2023 8:01 PM
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“…Shit. I have to think of something… Do you know who would know about Jeff from before he came here?” I’m not really trying to hide the significance of this anymore.
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"No?" Gordon.
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Fuck. How truly ironic, that I would be stumped by a need to solve the mystery.
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I hold my head. “There’s still… hm. If I…” Agh! Why should I care if Grace lives or dies, anyway? She doesn’t! But this is about me, too. He wants me dead, and I sure don’t have a way to change his mind on that. So I can’t take a direct route. I have endless resources. I can do almost anything! I just need to think of something.
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"I can get you close. There’s not many people living in that base, and they’ve mostly split off recently. Last I checked it was just the 3 of us, and the other one tried to kill me on a whim, so I doubt she’ll be back." Gordon.
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“…The New Edlightenment. You said that at the start. It’s a separate thing from Johnner? He doesn’t have anything to do with that?”
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"We work for Johnner." Gordon.
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“Okay. But… no, that doesn’t make sense either.” I’m very perplexed looking.
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"How so?" Gordon.
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“The overlap I could understand, but the full integration into someone’s ranks of a cult literally visibly named for a different guy is…” It couldn’t be that easy of an answer, right? “I suppose that doesn’t tell me much on its own. You said Grobber was ‘supposed’ to have his money stolen, right? When that actually happened, was that under Johnner’s orders?”
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"Of course. But, well… The new cult was started inside of Johnner’s organization by Ethfan. We were always working for Johnner, in a sense." Gordon.
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“These names keep getting worse. Please tell me you just mispronounced Ethan.”
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"He’s foreign too. I think." Gordon.
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((Saturday))
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((Damn…))
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"He’s foreign too. I think." Gordon.
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Dana Craig 8/5/2023 4:41 PM
“From the same place?”
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"That I don’t know." Gordon. (edited)
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Dana Craig 8/5/2023 4:45 PM
“Hm. Just wondering if he might be someone who knows. Do you mention that because it’s also not the name he was born with?”
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"No? That is his name, to my knowledge. Why?" Gordon. (edited)
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Dana Craig 8/5/2023 4:49 PM
“I guess it doesn’t particularly matter.” He might be worth looking into later, but… “You answer directly to Johnner, right? If you don’t know, it seems hard to imagine anyone does. Ah, well.”
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"Are you going to help or not?" Gordon. (edited)
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Dana Craig 8/5/2023 5:07 PM
“I’m not a god, Gordon. You’d definitely be better off asking someone else about this. But I can see what I can do.”
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"It’s somewhat hard to find anyone who’d side against Johnner. Unless I went to like… Howard Scott. But even then he’d probably just put me in jail." Gordon. Kingsley approaches Dana. "What if we just… Went there? He’d never see it coming."
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Dana Craig 8/5/2023 5:13 PM
“Maybe. I mean, in concept, killing someone is really easy. Is he alone, Gordon?”
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"He should be." Gordon.
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Dana Craig 8/5/2023 5:28 PM
“Then fine. We ambush him. Kill or be killed.”
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"Can I be uncuffed or is that too much to ask?" Gordon. Kingsley turns to Dana for the answer.
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Dana Craig 8/5/2023 5:31 PM
“I’m convinced this would be too stupid of an attempt at a ruse. Go ahead.”
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Kingsley uncuffs him, and Gordon gets up. "Are you ready, then?"
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Dana Craig 8/5/2023 5:41 PM
I ensure I have at least one gun. I bring pepper spray, the gas mask, the notebook, and a singular bottle of… oh, right. I drank it all. Have to still buy groceries tomorrow. Whatever. “Okay. Let’s fuckin’ go.”
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Gordon leads the way out. Kingsley follows.
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Dana Craig 8/5/2023 5:48 PM
“Sorry. Hopefully this will be the last time…” I mumble awkwardly back to Ariel.
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"It’s alright." Ariel nods.
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Dana Craig 8/5/2023 5:54 PM
I press onward. It’s time to kill a guy.
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Ariel follows. Gordon leads them to the mall.
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Dana Craig 8/5/2023 5:55 PM
Oh. I didn’t expect her to. Is the mall open?
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Because it’s approaching midnight, the mall is slowly closing. It is still open however.
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Dana Craig 8/5/2023 5:59 PM
“And you’re sure he’s here?” I whisper in hushed tone to Gordon. “Nothing like that funeral or whatever happening right now?”
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"Funeral's over. He’ll be here." Gordon nods, before walking into an employee only area.
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Dana Craig 8/5/2023 6:05 PM
I follow from a bit of a distance, while ensuring Kingsley is still around.
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Kingsley and Ariel are both here. "I’ll watch the door and make sure no backup comes." Kingsley. "Okay!" Ariel.
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Dana Craig 8/5/2023 6:08 PM
I nod. Fair enough. I continue after Gordon. What am I actually planning on doing…? I can’t just shoot a man dead in public, surely.
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Ariel follows. It’s a normal looking kitchen. There are a few doors. "This way." Gordon points to another door.
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Dana Craig 8/5/2023 6:14 PM
I guess having a medic of sorts is good. I don’t have any contributions. He can continue leading the way.
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The door behind them opens, and a few younger girls walk in. One of them is Lelouch Maoziwam. It is also now midnight. ((End chapter, end session))
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Advehnt Guard
Other Town / sam-kidink
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Sam wakes up in the bed the next morning. The jacket is gone.
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Sam Kidink 7/1/2023 2:19 PM
...Huh? He wakes up, still slightly dazed. What was I doing yesterday... Right. I got hit on the head... I don't think I passed out on the bed. How did I get here? ...Ehn showed up. That was the thing. I should get to figuring out... No, I can't. She's not here, seemingly, and I doubt she has any reason to show up again after that. ...Anyway, afterwards, I got knocked out, and maybe Autumn left me on the bed. He gets up and walks around a little. The jacket's gone. That means that it's in my best interests to stay within the church for now, if not this room. It's currently Saturday, so this will work for at least the rest of today. I doubt people come by here until tomorrow. Who took it? That should be my greatest concern. Presumably it was Autumn, but was that of her own accord? Did she figure out anything, or did Ehn pull some nonsense to get her to bring it back to Ashley without any knowledge? And Ehn said this place was unsafe right before I got knocked out... what was that about? Did she predict that, or did she make it happen, or something else? It's not all that fair. In any case, the jacket might've made its way back to Ashley at some point, or it's still with Autumn. Perhaps then, if one of those two was in the room with me right now, I wouldn't know. Still, I might as well try, though it's also equally possible such a person doesn't want to be found. At least that's an interesting situation. Otherwise, no one's here, and the best I can do is wait for someone I know to show up. "Hey, anyone there?" He just says this, not really expecting a response. Didn't I do this once before under similar pretenses? How silly. At least I have more basis this time.
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Father Morgan stepped into the room. "...Good morning. You're up."
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Sam Kidink 7/1/2023 2:28 PM
Oh. I suppose I should've expected that. Figures. No hidden person is going to show themselves now. I guess my thoughts still aren't as in order as they should be. "...Morning. I am, yes. ...Thanks."
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"I'll bring you breakfast soon enough. Just don't do anything strange to disgrace this house of god."
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Sam Kidink 7/1/2023 2:39 PM
I suppose I should avoid being an inconvenience in this situation. I mean, it's not like I have no experience with that... "...You don't have to if it's extra effort. In any case, don't worry, I plan on just staying in this room for the time being."
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He left.
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Sam Kidink 7/1/2023 2:56 PM
Okay, maybe I can try this again... "Is there anyone here?" He more or less asks the same question again, this time really not expecting anything. Evidently, the best I can do is stay here and try to collect my thoughts. I could try to leave, but won't Autumn or Thomas just attempt to find me here anyway? ...I suppose it depends on what is happening at all. If for some reason no one shows up, I might have to at least step out of the room. In that sense, this is both the best place to figure out what's going on, and the worst. I'm able to do a lot, but I'm also not able to do anything at all...
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No one responds. Father Morgan returns with a simple breakfast.
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Sam Kidink 7/1/2023 3:44 PM
"Thanks." At least he's nice. That's good for an adult who likely doesn't get involved in most of the day-to-day activities in the greater scope of the town. He sticks to what he wants to do, and has a very clear devotion to this church. It's quite respectable in some sense, really, though I don't know how complicated it gets. I'm sure I could ask questions if I get bored, but also, would that really benefit me? Shouldn't there be a lot I need to handle instead of thinking about these things...? For the first time in more than 7 days, it's a weekend for me, which means Autumn and Ashley aren't in school. It's a complete mystery what people here do when there's no school. Thomas likely has his hands full with Aura. There isn't much I can contribute to either of those situations without further knowledge. I complained a little about the people in Avengard yesterday before I was knocked out, and despite the clear link I've determined, there's very little I can determine from them. I almost wish I went out yesterday while I still had the jacket to figure out what was up with the black suits... Speaking of which, to no surprise, Ehn's capabilities are likely illogical. Figuring out how to work around that is a task I'm going to have to put lots of thought into. ...How sturdy is this place, really? That could help me determine exactly how much work I might need to do. Sam looks around the room to look for anything of note and also signs of any structural damage, though he doesn't expect much. After that, he waits a little longer to see if anything will happen. (edited)
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((Roll)) "Yes, well… Have a good day and all that. The lord appreciates all visitors." Father Morgan.
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Sam Kidink 7/1/2023 3:53 PM
((14)) "You too."
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It’s just a small piece of the ceiling. It’s safe otherwise.
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Sam Kidink 7/1/2023 6:22 PM
Looks fine. Regardless of whether this building is 'up to code', it's clear that what happened to me yesterday was a contrived event. One could make the argument that this isn't so strange after all considering the knowledge of what Ehn has done in the past. Or, well, whoever or whatever is behind Ehn since such a person - or other entity - no doubt exists at this point. There's a lot I'm missing, and it's a unique sort of mystery. Are abilities simply given 'because your story demands so' or 'plot convenience'? Does it make sense for people to disappear or for locked doors to open, and are those things connected at all? If a piece of the ceiling breaks and knocks me out right when 'foreshadowed' by Ehn, was it meant to occur or what? When I collect my thoughts and think about what was said earlier, Ehn was talking about some narrative of sorts with 'protagonists' and whatnot. While I'm not averse to that sort of thinking, her perceptions make absolutely no sense. She clearly has no idea what that means or what motivations are... ...But it's still kind of problematic. Just the general concept of all of this nonsense which defies reality. What's the point of it all? What am I missing? This is why I don't like dealing with situations which are blatantly nonsense, even if I have no choice in this case. Still, there have to be some rules, and not the contrived ones like giving everyone one object. I have to figure out what's real and what's not. Is anyone going to come down here after all? Maybe I should ask some questions. If no one's coming, then they have their other preoccupations. Sam exits the room and tries to find Father Morgan within the building unless something else happens.
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((Saturday))
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Father Morgan is in the front of the church, giving praying.
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 3:19 PM
Sam looks at the front of the church. Okay... I guess I shouldn't bother him for now. People do come here today, apparently. Will he just be doing this most of the day? I could go up there and disguise my questions as a sort of consultation or similar, but I doubt I'd be the best at doing that, and it's just be easier to be more direct... and the questions I'd have are mostly about who comes by here, what they do, and so on. Maybe that's already been answered for me considering I'm here now. I suppose it makes sense that he does something outside of Sundays. I haven't actually seen what those are like here. Does everyone attend tomorrow? I don't know how good or bad that will be. That might be a matter I should actually address in case someone shows up. Maybe I don't mind watching how this plays out for now. He is going about his daily life, and there's little reason for me to intervene on that. Sam waits for a bit to see what happens and if Father Morgan will be available to talk to at some point.
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"Did you need something?" He turns to Sam.
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 3:31 PM
"Oh, I just had some questions, but that can wait if you're busy. You can go back to giving praying if you want."
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"What did you need to ask? I'm here to guide people as well."
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 3:34 PM
"Well, alright then. Does everybody come to the church on Sundays like tomorrow?"
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"They should, yes. You'll have some exceptions like the Lauriers, unfortunately."
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 3:50 PM
Okay, that's good to know... It's a little surprising. That means it's unlikely Ashley is going to show up here anytime soon. Though, since he didn't name anyone else, maybe Autumn, Thomas, and most others still come here? I wonder how much this will really help me, even if it's good to keep track of. Maybe I should just go for more interesting questions at this rate. "...What do you tend to do here on weekdays?"
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"Many things. It's not exactly easy to condense. If you want something to do, feel free to grab a broom and sweep up the place."
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 4:06 PM
"Hm. I'll consider doing that after this." It should be fine for me to hang out inside here, and it's not like there's much else I would be doing, and I've talked of doing something at all in the past. Who knows, maybe someone will show up to talk to anyways. Thinking about it, sweeping up this place could actually be one of the more interesting uses of time in my case. "...Did the Lauriers used to come here in the past?"
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"No. They only moved here from Avengard a few years ago."
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 4:40 PM
Oh. Okay, I guess that's about what I should've expected at this point. So many connections all over the place. I suppose Thomas isn't the only person who knows something about that city, but it's good contextualizing information. Perhaps that's also why Ehn knows about this town. "What do you know about Avengard?"
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"Not much. It’s not relevant to me."
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 5:23 PM
Now that I think about it, maybe anyone looking for me wouldn't actually expect to find me at a church after all. It's possible staying here tomorrow will still serve to my benefit. "What about the Nielsens? Do they come here?"
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"Of course." Father Morgan. "And before you ask, of course the Petersons come here as well." Autumn entered.
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 5:35 PM
"Oh, I implicitly assumed that. Otherwise I would've asked in the same sentence. Anyway, hi." So she isn't wearing the jacket right now, if nothing else. You know, I wonder if the Lauriers not coming to church impacts Autumn's perception of Ashley in some way...? It's probably a combination of factors.
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"Hi!" She smiled.
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 5:44 PM
"How are you?" I should ask her what happened at some point, right? Not that I expect a clear answer, but that's fine. And also, it would be stupid to ask any questions in front of Father Morgan.
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"I'm fine. Why?" Autumn.
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 5:50 PM
"No particular reason. I suppose it's a new day." There doesn't always have to be a reason, but I'm not dodging any questions, at least. She did ask me why I need reasons for things yesterday...
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Autumn takes out her phone. "I'll call Ashley over. You should stay in that room, though. Anyone could walk into here."
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 6:00 PM
"Oh, did she want to talk? That's fine, I suppose. I have a question or two for you as well, but I suppose it can wait." He turns to Father Morgan. "Thanks for answering." He then goes back to the room.
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Ehn is sitting on the bed. "Good mooorning, Sam."
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 6:06 PM
Sam is a little surprised, but composes himself this time. Oh, great. Guess there's some sort of extra plan going on here this time. I wonder how I should approach this conversation... She definitely has something to say. Best to wait for that first. I should treat this like a mystery and consider every possibility, of course. "Hey. What brings you back here?"
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"A warning. Or… More like bragging, really."
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 6:13 PM
He sighs. "Go for it, then. Autumn and Ashley aren't in the room, so you have time." If that's the case, she might just be looking for a reaction, right? Then, I shouldn't. Though, have I reacted much to anything at all? Either I'm starting to get numbed to all this, or there wasn't much room for me to react further anyway. It's weird, isn't it? Shouldn't I be much more worried this time? Well, maybe I'll get my answers.
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"You lose. Today. No matter what you do, you’re going to go home and back to the plot."
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 6:53 PM
...I had a feeling it might be about this. So what, then?! Did all my questions about what's going to happen tomorrow not matter? Was this for nothing? No. Let me think this through. First of all, she said "back to the plot". I was thinking about this narratively earlier, right? In that case, the event of me returning could be said to have been decided, depending on circumstances I don't know. Did Autumn going through all this effort not matter because she's not 'the protagonist'? Did my effort not matter for other reasons? If that's the case, then I should believe Ehn, and my fate really is sealed to some extent. I wonder what would happen if I simply disagreed with that? Okay, I don't know how I would go about doing that. Maybe not. ...I was on the verge of giving up many times, so should I just take it lying down? I don't know. I certainly have time to think in this situation. Even if it's today, there's more than enough time left. Was I just pretending this whole time that I could've found a good way out? What am I even looking for here? What parts of this situation am I denying? There's one thing I can do. Get answers, regardless of whether I can change the outcome or not. If she's this confident, then maybe it doesn't matter to her what questions I ask. That's what really works for me. "...Tch. Is that all? Thanks for warning me. Maybe I should go prepare for that now." He laughs a little, then pretends to leave, but stops. "I'd ask how you're sure of that, but I'm fairly sure I know. Still, I'd dare say this is much more 'the plot' than that is, but clearly there are some who don't understand the real focus. Personally, I'm much more curious about what reason I have to be there than anything. If you care that much, then there's some role waiting for me, isn't there? Before, I figured you just wanted me back there to be petty, but if there's a clear purpose, it might not be the worst thing."
6:53 PM
You know, it'd be a shame if I died before that came to pass. I wonder how willing I really am as it comes to that...
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She just smiles. "Are you sure you want to stop it, though?"
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 7:03 PM
"Hm? Did I ever say I was going to? This doesn't exactly sound like something I should 'try' to stop."
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"What I’m trying to say is that this is in your best interest too!"
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 7:22 PM
Did she know what I was thinking? Is that why she thought I was going to try and stop it even though I didn't say so? Many days ago, I had a thought along these lines, but... You know what, it doesn't matter. I could be so much more outwardly annoyed at all of this nonsense... I guess that's just not my style. This is just stupid. I should press harder. "Okay. I hardly see how being injected into a story that's not mine is good for me! Or for you, for that matter. But go on, I'm sure you have a great explanation."
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"This story is the one that isn’t yours! Yours is back in Avengard."
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 7:43 PM
"Neither story is mine, if you ask me! But that's besides the point. Let's play by your rules, since that's the case already. The only reason you think that is because you found me there initially. You know, I just heard that the Lauriers moved here from Avengard. Maybe you should've set her story back there as well." "But of course, that doesn't matter at all, does it? I'm sure you've heard me say 'this town and Avengard are connected', right? Forget the matter of which is mine and which isn't, they're both the same. Perhaps, in that sense, sending me wherever doesn't change anything."
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"Nope. Wrong! This place isn’t the location of a story. If Ashley wants any hope of relevancy, she’ll have to come back to Avengard too. But I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it."
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 8:06 PM
"Relevancy to who, exactly? You?" This stage is - or was - perfect as is, you know! But I suppose you couldn't be excited by the various dynamics at play here involving Ashley, Autumn, Thomas, Aura, and everyone else, could you? You seem to focus much more on events than the actual people involved. And either way, it's as I said, perhaps connections to Avengard are an inevitability." "...Now that I think about it, what are you doing? Avengard seems to matter to you much more, but isn't that ironic now? You disparage me for not wanting to be a 'protagonist' or whatever, when in reality, you're also watching a 'story' play out! What are you doing, hiding behind the guise of an animal, pushing others to play out the entire narrative for you? That hardly counts for much now, does it?"
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"I can’t lead a story by myself, even if I wanted to. I can’t interact with the world beyond giving people abilities." Ehn.
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 8:14 PM
"Sure, I'll believe that because you said so. Don't you answer to someone? What about them?"
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"I dunno what you’re talking about."
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 8:26 PM
"Sure. Anyway, I've proven my point. All that's left to do is see what happens. And think about it. Maybe you'll actually do something helpful if you put actual thought into it." He sits down on the bed and continues to wait as before.
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Sam Kidink 7/8/2023 8:34 PM
That was good. I'm a little pleased. ...Will I still really going to end up going back? This sucks. Am I really just distracting myself? That's annoying. I wonder what I should think of all this. If I'm going to do anything, though, I have to wait until Autumn and Ashley show up, right? That's for the best. There's only so much I can think of right now. (edited)
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((Not sure if you’ll have a session, depends on other progress but if you do it’ll be on Saturday))
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((good that's fine))
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((You do have a session today yay))
12:56 PM
((Might start late though))
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((I'm not in the best mood for this right now. definitely good to start late. I'll probably be ready by then))
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((Good progress. Am I safe to assume there is no session tonight))
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((There is a session))
8:41 PM
((Lynne just likes starting late ig))
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Autumn walked into the room. "Hi." "That's my cue to leave, I guess!" Ehn runs off. (edited)
10:07 PM
Ashley and Aura approach the room.
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"Yeah, yeah, have fun." Sam makes this remark towards Ehn as she runs off.
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Advehnt Guard
Other Town / ashley-laurier
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Ashley wakes up in her bed the next morning. Aura is passed out on her floor.
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Ashley Laurier 7/1/2023 2:30 PM
She almost falls over scrambling off her bed and onto the floor, her body gravitating towards Aura's. Before she can think about what she's doing, she's feeling Aura for the sign of a heartbeat, watching her to see if she's still breathing. Please. Please.
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Aura is breathing normally. She's just asleep.
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((Saturday))
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Aura is breathing normally. She's just asleep.
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Ashley Laurier 7/8/2023 4:08 PM
Nearly overwhelmed with relief, Ashley tries to calm down as she slowly stands up and silently walks towards the door of her room. She reaches for the doorknob… but hesitates. Are mom and dad going to be waiting outside for me when I go out there? Actually… come to think of it, why haven't they checked in already? Did they just agree to let Aura sleep over here without asking me or something? Agh, I bet that's the kind of thing they'd do. I just want to be anywhere but here right now… Maybe if I sneak out, they won't notice. Ashley tries to open her door as silently as possible so as not to alert anyone.
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"...Ashley?" Aura.
4:15 PM
The door has been successfully opened quietly. This is not why Aura woke up.
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Ashley gets a text from Autumn.
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Ashley Laurier 7/8/2023 6:29 PM
She stands completely still and doesn't turn around or talk, as if this will somehow work to turn her invisible in place of the jacket. Shit, if only she had that jacket with her now. Well, it probably wouldn't have seen much more use from her either way. Her hand is burning to check the text from Autumn, but she doesn't dare reach for her phone to check.
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Aura sits up and gives her the sad puppy dog eyes. "I’m sowwy."
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((good session))
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((Stop reading this far ahead!!!!))
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((As mentioned, please focus on this but like preferably you would also need a scheduled session on Saturday. The completely unguessable other person who’s waiting on you has already very quickly hit the road block))
👍 1
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Ehn/PC
Aura sits up and gives her the sad puppy dog eyes. "I’m sowwy."
Ashley Laurier 7/11/2023 5:03 PM
Something she thinks is a smile rises to her face, but she's not sure. "That's okay…! Hey, I get that you were just trying to help me. I have to… go do something right now, but don't worry about this, it's not a problem."
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"Can I come?"
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Ashley Laurier 7/11/2023 5:06 PM
Just stay calm. Poker face. "I'd rather you not. It's nothing against you, though! You know, it's just- just something I'd rather have privacy for."
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"I didn’t… Have permission to stay with you last night."
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Ashley Laurier 7/11/2023 5:14 PM
"What do you-" Words suddenly fail her as she realizes the implication behind that. Of course… If I send her back to her house now, she'll probably be thrust back into her living hell. I can't do that to her. "Alright. If you need to, you can come with me. I'm pretty sure I can still have that conversation in private while you're there, anyways… Just try not to be around while I'm talking with her."
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"Okay!" She nods eagerly.
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Ashley Laurier 7/11/2023 5:15 PM
"I have to check something before we go though, so hang on a sec." Ashley looks at her phone to read the text from Autumn.
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'Come to the church. Sam is here'
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Ashley Laurier 7/11/2023 5:20 PM
The… church? Weird place to meet up. Why couldn't she just ask me to come to her house? No, that's easy. It's because she doesn't want me there. I can't blame her for that. She exhales lightly in self-mocking amusement. Still, a church of all places… Well, I guess I haven't really talked to her about that before. She wouldn't know. 'ok! coming' She nods to Aura. "Alright, ready to go?"
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"Yup!" Aura.
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Ashley Laurier 7/11/2023 5:22 PM
Ashley exits her room and starts heading towards the front door of her house to leave for the church.
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Aura follows. Ashley's parents notice her. Instead of saying anything to her specifically, Lilia just asks "Aura? What are you doing in our house?" Aura hides behind Ashley.
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Ashley Laurier 7/11/2023 5:54 PM
What? Wasn't she here last night? "We're just leaving now, mom! Don't worry about it! 😇"
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"Oh, okay." Lilia remembers she doesn’t care. "Wow, she really trusts you…" Aura.
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Ashley Laurier 7/11/2023 5:56 PM
Ashley just rolls her eyes and leaves without responding to either of them.
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Aura follows.
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Ashley Laurier 7/11/2023 6:06 PM
"Okay, so, I'm heading to the church to meet up with Autumn. I'm supposed to be there just by myself, so you have to wait outside or somewhere nobody'll see you while I'm in there."
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"Wow, I didn’t know nyou were a Christian!"
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Ashley Laurier 7/11/2023 6:16 PM
"Wh- No, I'm not a Christian, or a Catholic, or whatever. That stuff's for bigoted assholes who just want to hate themselves so they can pretend they're doing something good. Autumn picked this place to meet up, not me."
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"…Well, that seems rude." They arrive at the church.
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Ashley Laurier 7/11/2023 6:20 PM
She shrugs and waits to see Aura pick a place to wait before she goes in. (edited)
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Aura pretends to go hide, then follows Ashley into the church anyway. Autumn is talking to Father Morgan inside. Both turn towards Ashley. "Hi!" Autumn. "What is she doing here?" Father Morgan. (edited)
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Ashley Laurier 7/11/2023 6:33 PM
Ashley looks incredulously between Aura and Autumn at their simultaneous betrayal of her feelings. "I-..." A stressed sigh escapes her mouth, the extent of her protest against this situation.
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"Don’t worry, she’s converted." Autumn walks over to Ashley and whispers to her. "Just go with it. I’ll explain after."
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Ashley Laurier 7/11/2023 6:41 PM
"Go with what??" she whispers back, barely preventing herself from throwing up in her own mouth. (edited)
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"…Really?" He doesn’t seem to believe them. "Of course, she even came here just to pray with us." Autumn reassures him, before whispering to Ashley again. "These churches hoard so much. If you just pretend to go along with their priests, you can almost just take whatever you want."
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Ashley Laurier 7/11/2023 7:06 PM
"...Okay...?" It's not like Autumn to be so eager to take things from others. I guess because it's the church though, they deserve it. She turns to the priest who she will not give the dignity of addressing by his stupid title and nods at him, a non-specific indication of agreement with Autumn.
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Autumn sits down on one of the benches, and makes a prayer pose. Aura sits down next to her, and copies the pose.
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Ashley Laurier 7/11/2023 7:08 PM
Ashley awkwardly sits down a moment after both of them and goes along with what they're doing.
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After a moment of silence, Aura speaks. "I prayed for everyone to be happy forever! Yaaaay!" "Well then, I guess it’s a good thing saying it makes it not come true. I’d hate to always feel this happy." Autumn gets up and moves away from the bench. "I think… That’s just wishes." Aura follows.
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Ashley Laurier 7/11/2023 7:20 PM
As this happens and she follows as usual, she tries mouthing 'When is this over?' at Autumn.
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"…Hmph. Fair enough, then." Father Morgan sighs. "I suppose you’ve saved yourself from eternal damnation now. She can go in, if that was your goal." "Thank you!" Autumn starts walking through a door in the back.
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Ashley Laurier 7/11/2023 7:28 PM
As if it'd be that easy. She tentatively walks with Autumn to the door.
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Aura runs after them. "Just don’t go ruining it by doing anything sacrilegious." Father Morgan says this as they leave. Autumn shuts the door, turns to Ashley, and suddenly kisses her on the lips.
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Ashley Laurier 7/11/2023 8:52 PM
%#+&@/>} Ashley Laurier spontaneously combusts into a spray of acid that splatters all over the floor and walls, immediately killing her. It takes her a moment– one that feels like an eternity– to process reality again enough to understand that that didn't actually happen. The world's welcome-back gift to her is a heart that burns at a thousand degrees with every human emotion possible to experience, plus a few more that register as alien emotions trying to communicate with her in some incomprehensible cosmic language. It weighs her down terribly, threatening to pull her into the earth, as the rest of her body fades away into nothingness. No, not nothingness. This is Ashley's body still. Autumn Peterson is kissing Ashley Laurier. Like it's something she'd do on a whim, like it's just something she does every day. Why? Doesn't she understand that the girl she's kissing is filthy, that doing something like this will ruin her perfect lips, her gorgeous face, her as-yet-unstained body…? It's a shame to allow something like that to kiss someone, the way it contaminates them and eats them alive and isn't even dignified enough to spit out the bones. Its beating heart cries in anguish, for all the love it wants to hold, and for all that it does not. It screams to be quieted, for it to end, and yet to last forever. Does Autumn know that? Is she brave enough to withstand it? Maybe that's why she's better than everyone else. Only she could think of doing this, this kiss, kissing this person, and coming out untainted, as if that itself was her gesture of charity, her kiss washing away the dirt and the darkness and mending the gaps and creating something pure. As if to show that miracles really do exist. All of the little contradictions dimming and all of the cacophonies silencing themselves and all of the thoughts being left behind and all of the self being violated and all of the things becoming one and nothing and everything and all of I love you… It feels so good… If only I'd been a little bit faster… You're so mean… You're so mean… You're so mean… You're so mean… That's so mean… That's so mean… That's so mean… That's so mean… That's so mean… That's so mean… That's so mean… That's so mean… That's so mean… That's so mean… That's so mean… That's so mean… That's so mean… That's so mean… That's so mean… That's so mean… That's so mean… That's so mean… That's so mean…
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"Umm… You didn’t ask her for permission! What if she doesn’t want that!?" Aura. Autumn doesn’t respond, and instead breaks from the kiss. "Ah, I always wanted to do that. What kind of god breaks down just from 2 girls kissing? If that’s all it took, I’ve officially bested an entire religion. What a joke." She shrugs smugly and keeps walking.
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Ashley Laurier 7/11/2023 9:08 PM
Somebody else in the room is unable to support her own weight and promptly collapses onto the floor.
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"Ohhhhh, nyou were just doing that for religious stuff. It could’ve been anyaone, even me!" Aura gets it. "Are you okay, Nyashley?" She notices Ashley and turns to her. (edited)
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Ashley Laurier 7/15/2023 9:45 PM
Starting to feel like herself again, Ashley tries to say something to Aura, but only manages a shaky and incoherent string of syllables. She puts her hand to her mouth, her lips, where- STOP thinking about it, stop thinking about it, stop thinking about it, stop thinking about it. Autumn herself seems a million miles away now. Of course it could've been anyone… Of course she… She wouldn't…
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"Umm... Awe hew wips poisonous ow something?" Aura. "Are you coming?" Autumn.
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Ashley Laurier 7/15/2023 9:59 PM
Ashley immediately stands up and clearly proclaims "Yes!" without even thinking about it.
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"To which one of us?" Aura. Autumn keeps walking.
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Ashley Laurier 7/15/2023 10:06 PM
Aura's question causes her to start blushing, so she stays silent. In place of a response, she walks up to Autumn and tries to get her attention, calling her name in a voice she's not sure is loud enough.
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Autumn has entered a small room with a bed. Inside of the room is Sam Kidink.
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Advehnt Guard
Other Town / ashley-and-sam
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"Hiya!" Aura.
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Ashley Laurier 7/15/2023 10:11 PM
Ashley is still blushing so hard she's mostly incapable of words. She lightly waves to Sam, visibly dazed.
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Sam Kidink< 7/15/2023 10:13 PM
"..." "Oh, hi!" Sam is slightly out of it, but responds to Autumn first since she walked in first.
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Aura hugs Ashley, but specifically in an effort to keep her from suddenly falling over. "I didn’t really expect Aura to show up, but I guess she really loves making everything about her." Autumn.
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Sam Kidink< 7/15/2023 10:17 PM
"...I suppose there's nothing to be done about it. So, what were we here to discuss again? I sort of lost the plot."
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"Not much. We’re just making sure you don’t get caught today, either. I have the whole day free to watch you." Autumn. "I dunno… Feels kindnya weird to give Sam so much focus after you just kissed Nyashley." Aura. "Aura, can you shut up? Those mock cat sounds are gibberish." Autumn.
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Ashley Laurier 7/15/2023 10:22 PM
Ashley makes a little "Uh!" sound but returns to silence pretty much immediately.
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Sam Kidink< 7/15/2023 10:24 PM
"...Okay. That's fine. We might as well try as always." Wait and see. That's what I said earlier. That's all that can be done. He responds to Aura this time. "It's true that this should take less precedence over whatever's going on with Ashley, but I still appreciate the help anyway."
10:24 PM
"I don't have much better to do than stay in this room. Is that the plan?"
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"I guess so. Not much to do in a cramped room though." Autumn. "We could try some party games!" Aura still keeps the cutesy voice.
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Sam Kidink< 7/15/2023 10:27 PM
"Well, I suppose we could talk for now, then. It's the best thing to do." Sam does not entertain the idea of party games, not at this time. "What's been going on your end?" He addresses this question to none of the three in particular.
10:28 PM
Is it worth asking this if I think I'm going to have to leave this behind soon? Sooner or later, I'm not going to be able to follow along with this, and I don't even know what will happen. Isn't that just life? We move on from different things, and... Why can't I bother to explain what's going on this time? Is it because I don't expect anyone to believe me, or what else? Do I want to spend what might be my last day just trying to have fun? It's absurd. I don't know what I want to do. This shouldn't be happening. (edited)
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"Well, I didn’t have time to help too many people this morning, but I still helped some of my neighbours while I could. That’s all." Autumn. "Wow… Sounds kind of biased." Aura. "I think you’re forgetting the passiveness in your passive-aggressiveness." Autumn.
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Ashley Laurier 7/15/2023 10:34 PM
Ashley squirms in discomfort as the two respond to him. Her eyes go back and forth between looking in Sam's direction and looking away immediately afterwards.
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Sam Kidink< 7/15/2023 10:36 PM
"That's good! I'm glad to see you're doing good things as always." He responds to Autumn. "...What's the deal with Ashley? She's been sort of silent. It's a bit concerning. Something happen with you or Aura?" I mean, regardless of what happens next, I should at least do something to ensure the best result here, right? If I've taken anything away from being here. And I said I'd do that anyway.
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Ashley Laurier 7/15/2023 10:41 PM
"…Hey… Do you… Do you think I'm… good for anything?" Ashley asks this in Sam's general direction.
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"Of course you are!" Aura.
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Sam Kidink< 7/15/2023 10:44 PM
What question is this? Of course. If I'm going to make any changes, then it's important that she recognizes that she is important. Everyone here is important. That's what I'm going with. "...Yes. You're playing a very important role. And you're doing well otherwise. Unless I missed something earlier today, I don't see the problem." Sam responds.
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Ashley Laurier 7/15/2023 10:50 PM
"What does that mean?" Her tone suddenly becomes annoyed. "What 'important role' am I playing to anything? The other day, you said I was the only one who could figure out the 'truth', and now you're telling me I have some 'role' to play"— she makes air quotes as she says both of these words— "but what are you even talking about? What exactly do you want to use me for? Tell me." (edited)
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Sam Kidink< 7/15/2023 10:56 PM
Oh, right. I got so caught up in my discussion with Ehn that I forgot that these terms don't make sense intuitively... That was the only reason. Do I just explain? That's the best thing, right? I have nothing to lose. Maybe? ... "Well, first, about the second of those questions, I'm saying you're a valuable presence for the others here. Autumn and Aura both respect you, and you've done a lot in regards to Thomas' situation. About the third, I'm not using you for anything. I'm... I was..." He says this very casually as before. "...here to watch. Well then. About the first one, are you ready? You might not like this part." He gives this as a serious warning and presents a more serious expression than most of their past discussions.
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"Spill it." Autumn.
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Sam Kidink< 7/15/2023 10:58 PM
"...Ashley?" He ignores Autumn and waits for a response. You, Autumn, really? You want to know this? Even though it only serves to benefit Ashley? You aren't the one doing any good by me explaining this. I suppose it's happened before, but... Okay, maybe I'm just losing track of everything now. (edited)
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Autumn gets some indescribable but certainly upset expression about being ignored.
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Ashley Laurier 7/15/2023 11:01 PM
Why did that just feel so nice? What? She gives a faint yet bitter smile. "I can't imagine what else could hurt me right now. Sure." (edited)
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Sam Kidink< 7/15/2023 11:14 PM
"Alright! Then..." He makes a theatrical sigh. Then he begins. "Ehn, you see. She has this absurd impression of people as pieces of some grand narrative of hers that she refuses to partake in herself! It's ironic, really. But don't worry, that's the entire solution to the mystery. That's what I've been getting at Being given one of those objects? You're a 'protagonist', so it seems. Someone who can bring about change, apparently. You, Ashley. You were chosen for that role by Ehn, congratulations! Which you have been doing perfectly well. That's why I said you can figure out the truth. You're in a position that will eventually let you take down any problems in your way with enough effort. You can do it." He ends this section on a bit of a slight smile as well, trying to be genuine still. "...But there's a problem. Ehn only cares about Avengard. She's trying to send everyone who she thinks should be a protagonist back to Avengard for whatever nonsense politics are happening back there! I tried to leave, and guess what? She said I'm guaranteed to go back today! That's right, no matter what I do, no matter how I try to change the 'story', I'm going to end up back there! I'm going to be gone, thrown back into that miserable place!"
11:14 PM
"...Not that I believe her at all, obviously." He tries to relax a little, but it's very apparent that it's unclear. "But what if she turns out to be right? It's so silly, this forced 'plot point' of hers. ...And it's not just me. She's going to force you back to Avengard as well! It turns out this place doesn't matter, she couldn't give a damn about this 'other town'! She just wants you to run back to Avengard where you came from years ago, just because it's so important! I'm sure both of us will have so much fun with that. Who knows, maybe everyone else will be forced to come along with you as irrelevant secondary characters. But that's fine. It's irrelevant. You can do it. You're good for making a difference." "You get it now? The best way to fight back against Ehn is to stick to working out the matters here."
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Autumn stops listening 5 seconds in and sighs about video games.
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Sam Kidink< 7/15/2023 11:15 PM
"Hey, I warned you that my explanation wouldn't make any sense. If you want the easy version, I trust Ashley to be able to help others too. There. That simple."
11:17 PM
"Oh, and I might be forced to return to Avengard today. I'm sure you care about that too! It matters so much!"
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"Wow, that sounds pretty intense… But it’d probably be best to just… Let things sit. I mean, this girl of yours sounds pretty crazy. And I’m literally a girlcat, so that’s saying a lot!" Aura laughs at this very funny joke.
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Sam Kidink< 7/15/2023 11:17 PM
"...You're right, Aura. I should just sit in this room. Who cares, I'll wait for the result to show itself." He still relaxes after this despite the sarcastic comment.
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Ashley Laurier 7/15/2023 11:23 PM
As Ashley listens to Sam's explanation, her face changes between confused, intrigued, horrified, and then back to her original speechless state. This time, though, she looks a bit more contemplative. She tries to think of something to say, or more accurately, how to phrase it. "If someone tried to kill themself before they could be brought back to Avengard, would Ehn be able to stop them?"
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Sam Kidink< 7/15/2023 11:24 PM
"I don't know. Maybe? That was my other plan. I don't have any way to do that, though."
11:25 PM
"It's possible it'll just be stopped by some nonsense 'plot armor', of course."
11:25 PM
Sam does not address the idea that doing so would be at all an issue.
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"Stop talking about this delusional nonsense! No one is going to be arrested, and no one is going to kill themselves! It’s a video game! A tiny insignificant meaningless distraction for people who can’t be bothered to focus their time on anything that really matters! I have everything under control, so just stop spouting nonsense!" Autumn.
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Sam Kidink< 7/15/2023 11:27 PM
"Truth hurts. Especially when it doesn't make sense. Just to be clear, I still do hope you win. I hope you can keep me here. Defy fate, and so on." He says this much to Autumn.
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Ashley Laurier 7/15/2023 11:38 PM
After a few seconds of complete silence, Ashley starts laughing. It's a low giggle at first, but it soon elevates to a higher volume, a higher intensity, in a way that's unmistakably desperate. As it continues, it becomes increasingly difficult to tell whether it's even laughter anymore, or if it's just outright sobbing. She buries her face in her hands as her shoulders continue shaking. "I can't… I can't… Ahahaha… ha… I can't take it… I… Aah, help me…"
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Sam Kidink< 7/15/2023 11:40 PM
"..." "Well, there's a lot you'll be able to do in the future. Maybe. Unless it's all been set in stone from the start, which is equally possible." Sam very clearly gives up trying to make a convincing argument.
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"Ashley…?" Aura keeps hugging her. Autumn groans in disappointment. "Are you both really this terrified of fiction? I’ve seen young children be far more sensible."
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Sam Kidink< 7/15/2023 11:47 PM
"You're right, really. Young children are far more sensible. ...We'll see what happens next." He vaguely resumes to a neutral expression and tries giving something of a more normal response.
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Ashley Laurier 7/15/2023 11:50 PM
She looks at Sam through her fingers, her voice still unstable even after her laugh has died down. "Couldn't you just show her the jacket?"
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Autumn backs away uncomfortably.
11:52 PM
"Let’s cheer up, guys! Come on, we’re besties right? We won’t let all that get us down!" Aura.
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Sam Kidink< 7/15/2023 11:53 PM
"I could try. Whether that will help is another matter entirely. That reminds me... Did you ever tell Autumn about it?"
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Ashley Laurier 7/15/2023 11:56 PM
"She asked me why you had it, but I didn't really get to explain what it was for. Just showing her would be easier, right?"
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Sam Kidink< 7/15/2023 11:57 PM
"That's the problem. I don't have it. I figured Autumn took it back from me and gave it to you, but I guess it's just lost currently."
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"I suppose we’ll simply never know where it is." Autumn.
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Ashley Laurier 7/15/2023 11:58 PM
"Wh-?" She looks at Autumn. "What did you do with it?"
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"What do you mean? Are you calling me a thief?" Autumn.
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Sam Kidink< 7/16/2023 12:01 AM
"Well, this is fun. That explains a lot." He shrugs. "Though, why keep it if you have it? I hardly see what you have to gain. Might as well get a bit of understanding while I'm still here."
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"I am not a thief! I’m a good person!" Autumn.
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Ashley Laurier 7/16/2023 12:03 AM
"I'm not calling you anything, I just want to know where it is…!" A great attempt is being made to not start crying again. "Listen, Autumn, if you let me show you something about it, you'd understand what I'm talking about!"
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Sam Kidink< 7/16/2023 12:04 AM
"...You can be a thief and a good person, you know. You just have to steal from the wrong people."
12:06 AM
"Oh, and it should be noted that the reason I lost the jacket wasn't even because of Autumn. It was because I was knocked out by a piece of rubble from the ceiling which happened to coincidentally knocked me out. Wonder how that occurred." He is being very subtle.
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Ashley Laurier 7/16/2023 12:06 AM
"?????"
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"I don’t have it. It’s that simple." Autumn crosses her arms in some effort to look visibly annoyed. "This atmosphere is really tense… We should all calm down by playing some games!" Aura. "Stop talking about little childrens' games! I am a grown adult, a full 16 years old! I don’t have time to play your silly distractions." Autumn.
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Sam Kidink< 7/16/2023 12:07 AM
"...Right after someone said the building might collapse. Wonder who that could've been."
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"The building is not going to collapse, don’t be stupid." Autumn. The building suddenly shakes once.
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Sam Kidink< 7/16/2023 12:08 AM
"Look, I'm trying to ignore all these distractions. The jacket is more important. If I don't get it, then Ashley should. Whether Autumn has it or not."
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Ashley Laurier 7/16/2023 12:12 AM
She suddenly remembers something. "Wait, wait, don't I still have-…" Immediately, she starts rummaging through her backpack. If the fish Sam gave me back at school is still there, then maybe I don't need the jacket. Maybe I can convince Autumn without it!
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She still has it.
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Ashley Laurier 7/16/2023 12:17 AM
Ashley takes the two fish halves out of her backpack, carefully and firmly holding them to make sure nobody else can take them. She looks in Sam's direction. "Sam, can you explain what this is? Not like it's from a video game. What's special about this completely normal looking fish you gave me?"
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There’s a commotion outside, as this is happening.
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Sam Kidink< 7/16/2023 12:19 AM
"It's a fish. You eat fish, right? So you try eating the fish."
12:19 AM
I'm surprised she had it still... But depending on what's going on, who knows if we'll even get to the explanation.
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"Oh my god." Autumn says this in utter exasperation.
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Sam Kidink< 7/16/2023 12:20 AM
"Oh, and then you try punching something or whatever because that's a proper reaction to eating bad fish. Anyway, fish is for eating."
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Ashley Laurier 7/16/2023 12:21 AM
"Can't you just…?! Ugh, whatever!" Ashley shoves the fish in her mouth in exasperation.
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That sure is raw fish stored in unclean spaces and expired by a week.
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Sam Kidink< 7/16/2023 12:25 AM
"...Just so you know, it's unfortunately possible it doesn't work anymore. As I said earlier." Sam makes this remark a bit too late. "But it's still worth a try." (edited)
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Ehn’s laughter is just barely audible.
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Ashley Laurier 7/16/2023 12:27 AM
She resists the urge to vomit with everything she has. Does she feel any stronger or anything? Any indication that anything is happening?
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((Is she just like. Holding it in her mouth? Or chewing))
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Ashley Laurier 7/16/2023 12:29 AM
She is trying to chew it but doing it slowly because it's disgusting. She's done worse. At least she thinks so.
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The fish seems to constantly regrow in her mouth. Ashley does feel stronger now though.
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Sam Kidink< 7/16/2023 12:33 AM
Sam says nothing. He also does not respond to the possible reaction from Ehn, simply opting to watch what happens next.
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Ashley Laurier 7/16/2023 12:40 AM
With the feeling flowing through her, she looks around the room. If I really do have super-strength now, I don't want to hit the walls or the floor and fuck something up. But there's nothing else in here to work with, is there? Nothing except… Ashley tries to stand up and pick Aura up from the floor with one hand. This isn't something she could do on her own, probably.
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She easily succeeds at this. "Wow!" Aura. "Huh-!?" Autumn. As this bizarre sight unfolds, the Nielsens and the Petersons both storm into the room. All of them are wearing police uniforms, except for Thomas who’s just hanging his head.
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Sam Kidink< 7/16/2023 12:45 AM
"And there you have it!" He is laughing slightly. "The greatest display of-" He pauses immediately upon seeing the police there. "...Of course. Well, my job here is done!" He shrugs again. (edited)
12:47 AM
"I've proven my point. I've exposed the secret to people who shouldn't have known. I've won." He says this to no one in the room at all.
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Ashley Laurier 7/16/2023 12:49 AM
Immediately, she drops Aura to the ground and rushes at the cops, trying to shove them away from her friends in any direction, whether that's against the wall or the floor.
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"There you are, Aura. Did you really think you could kidnap my daughter and get away with it?" Aura's mom. "H-Hi mom… Haha. Fancy running into you here." Aura. "And Sam Kidink too. Autumn, I’m so disappointed in you. Helping a kidnapping like this? Have you lost your mind?" Mrs Peterson. "I-I’m sorry! I didn’t- I can explain." Autumn tries to get in between Ashley and the cops. ((Roll with advantage(that means roll twice and take the highest roll)))
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Sam Kidink< 7/16/2023 12:51 AM
((who is rolling))
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((Lynne))
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Sam Kidink< 7/16/2023 12:53 AM
"Of course she can explain. It's fine though. In some way, we've all been kidnapped by some greater sequence of events."
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Ehn/PC
"There you are, Aura. Did you really think you could kidnap my daughter and get away with it?" Aura's mom. "H-Hi mom… Haha. Fancy running into you here." Aura. "And Sam Kidink too. Autumn, I’m so disappointed in you. Helping a kidnapping like this? Have you lost your mind?" Mrs Peterson. "I-I’m sorry! I didn’t- I can explain." Autumn tries to get in between Ashley and the cops. ((Roll with advantage(that means roll twice and take the highest roll)))
Ashley Laurier 7/16/2023 12:53 AM
((18 omegaknown))
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Ashley runs past Autumn and directly at the cops. Aura’s mother responds by shooting her with a taser, knocking her down to the floor. She can’t move properly. "Ashley!" Autumn cries out in panic. "I’m surprised you’d fight this hard against everything. After all, it’s you that called them to this town in the first place… Isn’t it, Ashley?" Thomas replies shamefully. "What? N-No way! She wouldn’t!" Aura.
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Sam Kidink< 7/16/2023 12:58 AM
Thomas... I see. In the end, it was because Aura was here that he was forced to assist in a search unwillingly. And this was the result. "Ashley!" Sam demonstrates actual surprise at this sequence of events. "...I came here on my own. That's all that needs to be said. Well, I guess we know how everything played out." He responds to Thomas.
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"I’ll handle this, Sam. Get behind me." Autumn whispers to him as she approaches the police.
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Sam Kidink< 7/16/2023 1:01 AM
"..." Sure, let's see where this goes. Sam gets behind as instructed.
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"Mom. Dad. I can explain. He wasn-" Autumn can’t even finish that sentence before her father shoots her with a taser, and she crumples to the ground like like a puppet with its strings cut.
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Sam Kidink< 7/16/2023 1:04 AM
"...Figures." Just like that. I figured I would see how Autumn would try to defy everything. And instead, I just get this. A boring ending for all of us. Maybe it's my fault for getting involved at all. But I hope that in the future, the story here - the real valuable story - will continue well. "Well, tell me then. What have I done wrong?" He shrugs.
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Mrs Peterson shoots Sam with a taser unprompted. "What? You guys got a turn." Sam loses consciousness. ((Channel split))
Lelouch Maoziwam started a thread. 9/11/2023 4:34 PM
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Advehnt Guard
Other Town / ashley-laurier
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Ashley gets tased by Mr Nielsen, who also exists. He doesn’t even try to justify this one, because she already looked unconscious. Ashley loses consciousness.
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Ashley is in her room, alone.
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Ashley Laurier 7/17/2023 3:00 PM
"Hey Ehn, are you there? I'm ready to ask about that favor."
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"You’re in luck, I am still in town." Ehn appears. "Though I’m out of favours, remember."
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Ashley Laurier 7/17/2023 7:46 PM
"Haha, well, it's not a favor for me..." Ashley presses her fingers together sheepishly. "You... um... You said that in exchange for an ability, you could make Autumn love me back, didn't you?"
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"That’s true. I could. But both of these sound pretty much exclusively like advantages for you… What do I get out of this? I may be generous, but I’m not a free dispenser."
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Ashley Laurier 7/17/2023 9:36 PM
Well, damn… this thing makes a tough deal. She smiles. "Did you have anything in mind you wanted done? As long as it doesn't get in the way of her and I, you could more or less ask anything of me. I'm a pretty selfless person, after all."
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"Hmm… Well, why not? You are a pretty selfless person. Come on, we’ve just gotta go see her." Ehn smiles wholesomely.
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Ashley Laurier 7/17/2023 11:20 PM
"...Wh..." Her mouth hangs open in surprise. "Really...? Thank you so much! I don't know what to say... I mean- Alright, let's go!"
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Ehn walks out of the room, and leaves the house.
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Ashley Laurier 7/18/2023 2:12 PM
Ashley follows behind her, a little out of it.
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She stops in front of Autumn's house. "You’re gonna need to ring the doorbell."
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Ashley Laurier 7/18/2023 2:27 PM
"Ah, okay!" This instruction is promptly followed.
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Autumn opens the door. "Ashley? What are you doing here?" "Oh, whoops, forgot to think of a power for her. Any ideas?" Ehn.
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Ashley Laurier 7/20/2023 4:19 PM
"Do I have to choose?" Ashley fidgets. "She's already so amazing... Doesn't it make sense for her to just have everything?"
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"The power to do anything? Seems kind of dangerous don’t you think? Could anyone be trusted with that?" Ehn. (edited)
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Ashley Laurier 7/20/2023 5:05 PM
"I guess it is a pretty big responsibility. But Autumn can handle that! She's the only person I've known who can so effortlessly spread joy to everyone she meets, and she never gets tired of doing it. If she had the power to do everything she wanted, without being restricted by anyone… I think the world would be a happier place."
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"Eh, why not." Ehn. "Is that a talking cat?" Autumn. "Oh right." Ehn.
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Ashley Laurier 7/20/2023 5:10 PM
"Don't worry about it, hehe." Ashley smiles.
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"What?" Autumn. "Well, onto the important part. Autumn! I've come to call in that favor! You have to love Ashley Laurier back!" Ehn.
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Autumn’s eyes turn to anime hearts, and she looks at Ashley lovingly. "Okay!"
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Ashley Laurier 7/23/2023 4:43 PM
W-Woah, that's a little intense... "Can't you make it more realistic?" Ashley asks, turning to Ehn. (edited)
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"Realistic? What do you think you’re talking to?" Ehn.
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Ashley Laurier 7/23/2023 4:56 PM
"It's not like you made me all... weird like this when you forced me to give Sam's mom a call for you!"
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"You’re asking me to change her personality though! I just made you call someone!" Ehn.
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Ashley Laurier 7/23/2023 5:01 PM
Ashley feels her stomach turn. "Change her... personality?" She glances at Autumn, and then looks back at Ehn. "I didn't ask for that! Autumn's... Autumn is perfect the way she is! I'd never want to change anything about her!"
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"You wanted to make her love you, didn’t you?" Ehn.
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Ashley Laurier 7/23/2023 5:11 PM
"But being in love isn't supposed to change you like this!" As usual, she finds her words coming out louder than she meant them to. "You don't just... become a different person by falling for someone. M-Maybe they'd influence you a little, but... you should still feel able to be yourself! Otherwise, what's... what's the point?!"
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"…What do you know about love?" Ehn.
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Ashley Laurier 7/23/2023 5:29 PM
It's like a slap in the face. Come on, Ashley. What are you doing, getting so worked up about just a little question like that? You know what love is, don't you? "I know a lot more than you think I do! I know I've been in love with this girl since the moment I met her. And I know I'm not perfect, or even average– I'm an embarrassment of a person, and even despite all that, she still goes out of her way for me, to show me she needs me... That's what love is! If I was just some perfect lover for her like this, it wouldn't mean anything...! We don't just love each other when we're acting pretty. We're there for each other as people, issues and all!"
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"Are you implying Autumn isn’t perfect?" Ehn.
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Ashley Laurier 7/23/2023 5:40 PM
"N-No, but...! Ugh, you don't get it at all! This isn't... This is like some shitty cishet man's idea of what a 'perfect' girlfriend is. They wouldn't understand what makes her beautiful the way I do, and clearly you wouldn't either. Just... Just stop trying to change her personality in the first place. Why are you even doing that?!"
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"I’m just doing what you want!" Ehn. Autumn places her hand on Ashley’s shoulder gently. "It’s okay, Ashley."
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Ashley Laurier 7/23/2023 5:48 PM
"Wait! This isn't what I-!" Ashley turns to look at Autumn almost on instinct as soon as she feels the touch on her shoulder. "Autumn... what are you-..."
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Autumn lifts up Ashley’s chin and stares into her eyes. "Kiss me, Ashley."
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Ashley Laurier 7/23/2023 6:22 PM
A revolting warmth flares up inside her. "That's... hhaahh....." For the first time, the sensation of her self melting away ceases to feel good. It's suddenly horrifying, unbearable. Why is she letting this happen to her? I can't...! I have to tell her I don't want this... I can't want this... So why is it so hard for me to say that? It's not even HER! This is just some caricature of a loving girlfriend, some... some facsimile of affection, a hyper-idealized plaything who lives and breathes validation. That can't be the only thing I'm attracted to! There HAS to be more! Would I just make out with a wall as long as someone painted Autumn's face on it?! Am I really that shameless...? I have to think. There has to be more that I love her for. There has to...!
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"Ashley. Don’t hesitate. Take what you want." Autumn.
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Ashley Laurier 7/23/2023 6:42 PM
She finally makes eye contact with Autumn. What I want... Then, she closes her eyes. All at once, her answer is decided upon. She takes Autumn's hand in her own, gently removing it from her chin, and steps backwards. "I... want you to hate me. Please...?"
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"What?" Ehn.
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Ashley Laurier 7/23/2023 7:00 PM
Yes. "I want you to hate me!" Ashley repeats it louder, the comforting feeling of her wish wrapping itself around her. "No matter how hard I try, I want it not to be enough. I want to fall over and hurt myself, and I want you to call me a disappointment before you'd ever think of helping me to my feet. Whenever I'm with you, I hope it's on borrowed time, and I hope you'd rather be with anyone else if only I wasn't so easy for you to use. I hope you only pay me as much attention as you would an ant. I hope I spend the rest of my life trying to figure out some way to get you to like me even the tiniest bit more, to care about me in some way I already know you never will, and I want it to all be for nothing. Okay?" (edited)
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Autumn blinks. "…Okay." She smiles and kisses Ashley. Ashley’s wish is answered, as she wakes up handcuffed to a table in a police interrogation room. Autumn is sitting next to her, in the same position. She’s clearly in a foul mood.
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Ashley Laurier 7/28/2023 7:06 PM
As she wakes up, Ashley recites her usual stream of insults to herself in her head, more like a reflex at this point than a conscious decision. She almost wants to wipe her mouth with her hands, but being handcuffed to a table would probably make that difficult, so she decides to leave it.
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"You’re finally awake." Autumn says bitterly.
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Ashley Laurier 7/28/2023 7:09 PM
The usual silent nod.
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"Was he telling the truth?"
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Ashley Laurier 7/28/2023 7:11 PM
"What?"
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"About you calling them. You know what I mean."
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Ashley Laurier 7/28/2023 7:49 PM
"Uh..." Oh, I guess she's talking about when I called Sam's mom... I can't lie to her about this. If I want her to believe me that Ehn exists in the first place, I can't contradict myself later on and tell her I was lying before. But I should make sure we're on the same page just in case. "Sorry, can you be more specific? I just woke up, so I'm a little, um..."
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"You’re shameless."
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Ashley Laurier 7/28/2023 8:15 PM
"What?" Shit. Did I say the wrong thing there? Maybe I should've just confessed to it immediately? But if I admitted to doing something I didn't, that'd just make her more upset when I tried to correct her, right? And the same goes for if I denied it. Actually, maybe I should've brought up what I thought she was talking about to get a straighter answer. There could still be a chance to go for that later in this conversation, so I guess I'll keep it in mind. For now, I should- Ugh, for fuck's sake, conversations aren't flowcharts! What am I doing?! She's waiting for me to say something already! "...S-Sorry! Um, if I did something wrong, I didn't mean it... If you told me what's bothering you, I could try to... help, or something..."
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Autumn tries to fully turn around dramatically, but is stopped by the handcuffs. "You ruined everything! All for what?"
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((If you can make enough progress, you most likely have a session on Saturday. Idk though maybe Ashley avoids this but I’m putting it out there. You also don’t have one if Ashley does nothing but this would be evil and fucked up and make me sad))
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Ehn/PC
Autumn tries to fully turn around dramatically, but is stopped by the handcuffs. "You ruined everything! All for what?"
Ashley Laurier 8/3/2023 12:00 AM
The accusation gives Ashley the sensation that she's underwater as her head numbs and she finds herself short of breath. "I- I don't know! I wasn't trying to, I-.....!" She doesn't know how to finish her sentence. Why can't Autumn just tell her how to fix this already? Why isn't Autumn telling her what to do anymore?
12:01 AM
...No, she knows why. Obviously. It's just her being desperate again. But that's even scarier.
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"'Wasn't trying to'? Are you really so terrified of being guilty!? Take a look in the mirror and see what a blight on society you are!" Autumn. "Be quiet, Autumn!" Mrs Peterson enters the room, with Mr. Peterson following behind her. Autumn whimpers and cowers in her chair.
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Ashley Laurier 8/3/2023 12:28 AM
Ashley shamefully falls silent, but has no notable reaction to the Petersons arriving.
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"Honestly, Autumn... Is that any way to treat your friend? I'm embarrassed to have you as our daughter." Mr. Peterson speaks as the 2 sit down across from them. "I-I'm... I'm s-sorry." Autumn sputters out miserably. "What happened to that tantrum you were throwing? Can't you at least give meaning to the words that matter?" Mrs. Peterson turns to Ashley. "I'm so sorry about my daughter. I don't know why she's so defective."
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Ashley Laurier 8/4/2023 12:48 AM
She raises an eyebrow, not sure how to respond. The last parent she heard say something like that was... well... She doesn't want to think about it. For now, she just tries staying silent, not wanting to set Autumn off any more by saying anything even more stupid.
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"I was just... She's a criminal, mo-" Autumn. "That's not for you to decide, is it?" Mrs. Peterson. "You're not a cop, Autumn. You're just a kid... And a remarkably disappointing one at that. What are you doing kidnapping a young man like that?" Mr Peterson. "I-I'm... I'm not- I-" Autumn.
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Ashley Laurier 8/4/2023 12:54 AM
"...Autumn didn't kidnap anyone," Ashley speaks up.
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"Ashley..." Autumn turns to her slowly. "Don't ever argue with my parents again." Her expression as she says these words looks like she's going to die from them. "Really, Autumn? You can't admit it with your own words, you just have to rely on us? Grow up already. This is a serious adult situation." Mr Peterson.
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Ashley Laurier 8/4/2023 3:01 PM
"But there's nothing for her to admit." Ashley can understand why Autumn might feel bad about standing up to the people who raised her, but it should be way more important that she's not being falsely accused! "I was there with her the whole time, and all we were doing was just hanging out with a friend. We weren't taking him against his will or trapping him anywhere or anything."
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"Then what was he doing here in the first place?" Mr Peterson. Autumn tries to make herself look small and stays silent.
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Ashley Laurier 8/4/2023 3:33 PM
"Like… the church, you mean? That was just where we decided to hang out for the day. I guess it's a little obscure, but it's not a crime to be there, right?"
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"Sam Kidink was abducted from Avengard 5 days ago. How did he end up with you?" Mrs Peterson.
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Ashley Laurier 8/4/2023 3:46 PM
"What? Wait, are you serious?" She feels confident that her surprise is believable, because this information is actually new to her. "I- I didn't know about that! I just thought he was someone in town I hadn't met before, and- Wait, wait. Wasn't he staying at your house in the first place? How come you're surprised he's here?"
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"Because Autumn hid who he was from us." Mr Peterson looks at his daughter angrily. "…" Autumn. (edited)
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Ashley Laurier 8/4/2023 5:03 PM
"That..." What's going on with all this? Autumn definitely wouldn't kidnap anyone, but then what's the point of her doing any of this in the first place? What did she get out of hiding Sam from everyone like this? It clearly wasn't about his connection to Ehn, since she rejected that so strongly, so... "Look, at worst I'm sure this is all still a misunderstanding. He introduced himself as 'Alex' to me too, so maybe Autumn just didn't know who he was in the first place! He was the one who initiated hanging out with us a lot of the time, and he never seemed like he was under any kind of pressure..." (edited)
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"Then how did he get here, Autumn?" Mrs Peterson. "…I-I don’t know." Autumn. "Well, you 2 are certainly cooperative." Mr Peterson says sarcastically.
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Ashley Laurier 8/4/2023 5:39 PM
Ashley shrugs, trying to seem strong for Autumn's sake. "I'm only saying what I know. Trust me, if I knew whoever was behind this kidnapping you're talking about, I'd help you find them! But... I don't think there's any strong reason to think it's her."
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"One Mrs Kidink showed you an image of him, didn’t she? Why didn’t you tell her about him?" Mr Peterson. "Sh-She did… That’s… The problem." Autumn. "Why didn’t you Autumn? Are you such a bad person that you’d keep a mother from her child for no reason?" Mrs Peterson. (edited)
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Ashley Laurier 8/4/2023 7:35 PM
Ashley looks at Autumn for a second, then looks back at her parents. She's caught off guard and momentarily out of excuses, so nothing comes out of her mouth.
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"I was… I was protecting him from her! I didn’t do anything wrong…! I was helping good people! He ran away and obviously with good reason! I’m doing the right thing, mom! I promise! Just please tru-" Autumn is slapped in the face by her father and starts to cry. Mr Peterson makes some incomprehensible mocking recreation of what she just said. "…Jesus Christ." "He’s a child, Autumn. That’s his mother. Children are full of foolishness, rebellious impulses to destroy everything we mature adults do for them. Did you think you knew better? Grow up. She’s a successful lawyer with a good degree, and I’m sure that like us she’s dedicated to raising her ungrateful child. You don’t know better… Because you’re a failure of a person, Autumn. Now stop lying to everyone and be honest about why." Mrs Peterson.
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Ashley Laurier 8/4/2023 10:13 PM
Instinctively, Ashley struggles against her handcuffs, as if what's happening here could be stopped by force if only she had the chance. "H-Hey, stop it! Do you think you're going to get a straight answer out of her if you treat her like her feelings don't matter in the first place?!"
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"Right, right, of course." Mrs Peterson calms down at Ashley's words. Autumn's expression immediately switches to a deeply envious glare at Ashley. "I... Wanted a friend, is that really so evil? To want to keep the only friend I was even starting to make...!? What do... What do you even want from me!?" Mr Peterson got up and took out keys. "Only friend? That's your defense for kidnapping? Wow, you really are terrible at this." He unlocks Autumn's handcuffs. "You're lucky we're your parents, or this whole town would've turned on you a long time ago. Go say bye to your 'friend'... And when we get home, we're going to have a very serious discussion about how spoiled you've gotten." Autumn gets up and leaves the room without raising her head.
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Ashley Laurier 8/19/2023 6:54 PM
…What? Keep her "only friend"? That doesn't… what? Ashley's not just confused; she genuinely doesn't think she heard that correctly, or at the very least she has some insanely incorrect interpretation of what that just meant. Autumn surely isn't saying she has no friends other than Sam, is she? If that was true, then how could she still be so popular at school? There's no way that everyone at school, everyone who hangs on her every word and who she's constantly going out of her way to help... there's no way that none of them are her friends. And if Sam really was the only one she could call her friend, why did she keep telling Ashley to stay away from him? No- No, she's probably just saying things she doesn't mean because she's emotional. Ashley knows the feeling. When they both get out of this later on, she'll probably have calmed down, and she'll understand how many people there are out here who love her. Ashley suddenly remembers she's still handcuffed and looks down at her wrists. Is there some reason she's still here? She looks up at the Petersons.
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"We’d like to ask about your abduction of Aura Nielsen." Mr Peterson. "Yes, could you tell us about that?" Mrs Peterson.
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Ashley Laurier 8/19/2023 7:06 PM
"My... huh?" Is this because I took her to the church too? "I don't know what you mean."
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"She vanished last night, and we found her with you. She certainly wasn’t with Autumn." Mrs Peterson.
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Ashley Laurier 8/19/2023 7:24 PM
"Didn't you find all four of us together? In the back room of the church? How was she not with Autumn??" (edited)
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"Because Autumn lives in our house. We’re police officers. We’d know if she was there." Mr Peterson.
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Ashley Laurier 8/19/2023 7:35 PM
Ashley considers saying 'It's not like you knew Sam was there', but at this point she doesn't want to shift even the possibility of blame onto Autumn if she can help it. "Well, I didn't just take her from her house or anything like that, honest. She just showed up at mine yesterday, and I... Well, I assumed she'd go back to her place overnight, but she was still there in the morning and I already had to meet up with Autumn then anyway, so I just figured I'd bring her back after that? She didn't tell me her parents were looking for her, and I hadn't heard anything, so..."
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"I see. You’re free to go for now, then." They unlock her handcuffs.
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Ashley Laurier 8/21/2023 10:04 PM
"…" She gets up and starts to leave without a word. Why do I get off the hook and she doesn't? Why couldn't I have done that for her? I should've figured out a way to cover for her better somehow. She feels like punching a wall, but that would just put her right back in those handcuffs. Whatever.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Other Town / sam-kidink
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Sam wakes up in a police interrogation room, handcuffed to the table. Next to him, also handcuffed, is Aura. The chair is very uncomfortable. (edited)
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...When I think about it, this is slightly ironic. I spent so long running from the mafia only to end up here. There's probably some connection here. Well, can I figure it out before the inevitable outcome? That's the real question. The best way to fight the story taking place is to figure out the causes behind its events. This goes without saying. ...I wonder what Aura did? Despite my perceptions, I doubt there's anything she's actually done wrong. She definitely went somewhere along with Ashley and Autumn, but I was unable to get that information prior, and I don't even know how useful that is. ...Actually, wait a second. If I'm being sent back to Avengard, why is she here at all? She's not part of that story - not yet, anyway - but it certainly seems a bit early if there was any cause or reason behind it. I only have so many ideas. "Hey. Nice game you've got set up here." He attempts to converse with Aura.
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"Huh? Oh, uh… Good mornying! What game?" Aura.
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"...Nothing." He sighs. "Hey, just as a hypothetical, if you were to be locked in some cell in the middle of nowhere but receive meals every so often, would that be better than your prior situation?"
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"Huh? What- What kind of question is that?"
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"A question I ask to people who I can't understand when I first meet them. Would you rather talk about something else?"
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"Well…" She pauses to think about it. "I don’t… I don’t think it’d be better. Because I’d be alone."
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"Oh, okay." Great, that makes sense. There really isn't anything I can gain from asking this. Now what? "Anyway, do you know why you're here?"
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"Because… Mom and dad arrested us? They arrested Nyashley and Autumn too."
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"Oh. I didn't know the others were as well. But what do you think you did wrong to get arrested?"
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"I kind of… Ran away. And I stayed with Ashley."
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"Hardly seems like a problem to me. You were still staying within the town, which is the best way to approach anything, really." If I'm leaving, I might as well try to ensure everyone else stays. That has yet to be decided, after all. "...What did she say she when saw you?"
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"Nothing." She looks away.
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"Strange. Aren't you two friends? I'm not entirely convinced silence is the best approach to anything. Maybe that was because of Autumn?"
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She doesn’t answer.
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That's probably a yes. "...Well, that's unfortunate. Did Thomas get arrested too?"
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"No."
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"Okay. Anyway, try to stay in this town, no matter what."
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"Why?"
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"...Simply put, it's the best way to fight against everything that's happening. I used to think otherwise, but things have changed."
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"…Huh?"
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"Honestly, there's not much else to say here."
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"You’re pretty confusing…"
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"Well, I get that a lot. But it doesn't really matter. I'm just doing what I can."
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Aura's mother walks in. "Good afternoon, kids."
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Oh. I wonder if Autumn's parents still think I'm an adult. "Afternoon."
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Aura visibly gets anxious at this sight. "So, I’m going to need to ask you some questions. Answer them honestly, there’s nothing to fear." Aura’s mom.
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You know, this is like when Naomi used to ask me for actual answers. "Sure." Actually, why are we in the same room? It's probably not worth asking, they probably just didn't care or something.
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"Were you taken by force or intimidation?" Aura's mom.
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"To the church room? Not as far as I remember. It's possible I forgot, of course."
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"…Force." Aura. "Cooperating at last. I didn’t know you had it in you." Aura’s mom. "…" Aura looks at the floor.
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This is interesting. That definitely wasn't the case, but she's definitely playing along with what she thinks might be the best answers. I wonder if I should follow? The best-case scenario is that everyone besides me gets to stay, so I should perhaps bother to back up what she says. While going against what she says could be helpful, isn't it better to ensure there are no problems in this town? The problems can and should stay in Avengard. "...Well, to be fair, I was knocked out at some point, so I might've been taken by force then."
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"Who abducted you?" Aura’s mom. "…Autumn. Just her." Aura.
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What? This might cause an issue. I suppose I can see what reason Aura might have to oppose Autumn, but considering Autumn's parents are also part of the police, wouldn't it make sense if Autumn got off free as well? I'm unclear as to how this story could at all have any impact. I should figure out what Aura's mom wants to hear, if anything. That should be important. "I don't remember, but... I also don't remember seeing Autumn. Do you know who was there?"
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"We saw both Autumn and Ashley there. Stop lying." Aura’s mom.
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"Well, that happened after-" This doesn't make sense. Presumably, Autumn's parents should be asking questions somewhere else, and I doubt they have any reason to cause problems for either of the two. Is it possible this is just what Aura's mom is saying? In that case, there will be an inevitable conflict regardless of what I say. I'm losing track of which events are guaranteed to happen and which might not be. This isn't easy to untangle. "...Sure. Autumn was there at some point."
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"At some point?" Aura's mom.
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"I don't have a watch or a phone. She was in the room at some point, but not the entire time."
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"Who was there before?" Aura’s mom.
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"..." Sam looks to Aura to see if she has anything to say. I don't know what they expect here. Ashley? First of all, I wouldn't say that, and second, I'm not sure Aura would either. I get bringing up Autumn, but...
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Aura doesn’t answer.
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"...Some adult in a suit."
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"Oh? Could you describe them?" Aura's mom. (edited)
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Uh, what? Are they actually going with this? What purpose would this serve to them? Who are they targeting? "As I said, they were in a suit. A black suit, I think? Looked suspicious, that's for sure." It's true that I was kidnapped by guys in suits, anyway. Though, I guess they weren't black...
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"The lawyers? No, they didn’t kidnap you." Aura’s mom.
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"What? No, not the lawyers." Of course. 'Lawyers', I'm sure. At most one person in that group is. I didn't know they were all thrown under that label.
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"Oh." Aura’s mom.
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"..." Does it actually matter what I say as it comes to this?
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"Could you tell us everything that happened? The full story." Aura’s mom.
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Now I just have no clue what I'm meant to say. Should I just keep a consistent telling of the facts? Even if I go along with Autumn being there, based on what I know, it won't be of consequence to her in the end, probably. "Sure. I was walking around as I tend to do. The suit guy soon approached me and asked if I knew Aura. I attempted to dodge the question, but he clearly didn't believe me, so I was knocked out. Afterwards, I woke up in the room, and the suit guy was there. He then left. Soon after, Autumn and Aura showed up. Then, a little while later, you showed up." He looks at Aura to see if she'll say anything about this.
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Aura says nothing. "And why were you in this town in the first place? Who brought you here?" Aura's mom.
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Oh, here we go. This is how I'll get sent back, isn't it? Well, it's fine. I've given the story I need to. I sort of got caught up in this whole questioning thing when in reality most of it didn't matter. I should've realized how irrelevant it all was. Well, no matter... For this part, perhaps I can just have fun. It's hardly relevant to the matters of this town, anyway. "...A guy in a brown suit told me to go here under threat of death. So now I'm here. He didn't take me here himself, but I had no choice but to walk here. Then, I stayed over at Autumn's house for the past few days, which takes us to this moment."
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"Could you describe this man in the brown suit?"
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Well, I would rather still respect Gordon's privacy, even if I'm describing him, since he's the reason I was able to come... But I have no idea how this could possibly matter to them. "He had a white shirt underneath the suit. He was calling himself 'Ryan', I think, but it's probably just an alias. He had a gun."
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"If we could get a sketch artist to come, could you describe him?" Aura’s mom.
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"Sure? It'd mostly be what I said, though, and it's been a few days, so there isn't much else I remember. I don't know how this is relevant to the current kidnapping."
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((I'm so good at remembering other town))
9:23 PM
"Because I asked for it." Naomi Kidink walks into the interrogation room. "Hello, Sam. It's been a while." She smiles fondly.
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...This will be fun. I'm glad we were able to reach this moment. Well, it's unsurprising that they were eventually working together. Of course, it goes without saying that my kidnapping isn't related, as much as everything else is. But if a connection will be forced, then so be it. I just have to sever myself from this town to ensure its success then get out of this story. It's quite simple. Even now, I can't give up. "Oh. Looks like the pieces are finally in play now." He attempts to shrug before remember that he's handcuffed. "Finally. Of course, if you heard what I just said, you'd know that I was forced to come here." "But no matter. Isn't this familiar to you? A dark room with a girl who's going to go right back to her normal life. Don't worry, I won't try anything this time."
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"I would hope not. Trying to find you was a pain. Especially with Bob Smith’s interference." Naomi.
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Bob Smith, huh? Guess he was an unlikely ally. To be fair, I sort of stopped attributing issues to him quite a bit ago, considering I know who the real problem is, but... Credit where it's due. Maybe I should find him at some point, in that case. "How surprising. What did he do? I don't remember seeing him here at all."
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"He pretended to murder you. I didn’t find it very funny." Naomi. (edited)
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And yet you assumed I was still alive somewhere... Well, whatever. He gets a few points for sure. Maybe I should've just let him revel in his insanity the whole time instead of attempting to confront him with questions. Not that it matters currently. I'll find a way to break this 'story' sooner or later. What he does is up to him. "Wouldn't be the first time. ...Anyway, so what? I answered the questions I could."
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"You can unlock his handcuffs." Naomi. Aura's mom obliges, and undoes both their handcuffs. Aura stares in amazement.
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"...Is there a problem?" He asks Aura.
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"N-No I just…" Aura doesn’t finish. "Come on, Sam." Naomi.
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"Where to? I'm not going to run, but you know what I said. If I go back there, chances are I'll be dead in a few days."
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"Don’t go and underestimate your mother. Do you really think I’d just let you die? You’re far safer under my supervision." Naomi.
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"...Are you sure about that? It would be far safer for me to keep in contact and stay here, as evidenced by the lack of anything occurring so far. This is your last chance to fight the greater events at play." Not that I'd expect much. It's possible that this course of action has already been decided, or this whole 'protagonist' and 'narrative' thing is getting to my head, or...
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"Just come on, Sam. Are you seriously going to make your mother wait any longer?" Naomi.
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"Hey, I made my argument. ...I said I wouldn't run, not that I'm moving." This is perfect. I just need to stall as long as possible. That's one way I can try to derail all of this, even if it is inevitable. This is the right course of actions. I'm sure.
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Naomi snaps her fingers, and several of the men in suits enter and drag Sam to his feet.
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"H-hey, slow down. I get the point, it's just- you're wasting your time. There's no point in doing this-" He sort of shakes his head and struggles a little. After failing, he ends up yelling to Aura in the end. "I said what I said! Aura, help me out- or, no, never mind, don't do that! Don't forget what I said, and tell the others, I meant all of it! That's all that can be done! My situation is irrelevant, just make them understand and do the right thing, and forget I was here, it's best for all of you! But if you really care, know that this isn't right, everything back in Avengard, all of that nonsense! And- let me go!"
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"Sam, please stop fighting. I’m not a cruel person. I don’t want to hurt you. I’ve given you so many chances to grow up… To come into your own." Naomi sighs. "But it’s up to a mother to raise her child in the end. If you force me to, I suppose I will drag you home by force. Do you need that, or can you act your age?"
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"I told you my argument! Go ahead and drag me by force. It's not about you, it's about causing problems for someone else. This is my own decision. Go ahead and make yours happen. I'll wait."
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Naomi sighs, disappointed. "How did I raise a son like this? Come on, bring him." The lawyers drag him out. ((End session))
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((No session))
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((No session this week unless someone else makes more progress before then))
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((I missed the thrill of not knowing who is holding me up. just kidding it's probably still cicada somehow))
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((You will almost definitely have a session tomorrow))
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((I might not be there. unlikely but possible))
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((I’m so screwed if you don’t))
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((I'm just hearing reasons not to show up yeah alright I'll try harder to exist then))
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The lawyers drag Sam out of the interrogation room, into a small lobby. Thomas is waiting inside. "I’m sorry things turned out like this." "Don’t be. It should’ve happened earlier, if anything." Naomi.
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 2:06 PM
He takes a bit to compose himself again, but eventually responds to Thomas. "...It was bound to happen eventually. Just do whatever you have to on your end."
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"I really did want to believe you… That it’d work out. But I guess it really is just stuck like this, isn’t it?" Thomas. "Yes, it is." Naomi. Autumn walked out of the other interrogation room, hanging her head.
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 2:09 PM
"Well, look at it like this. Just because I'm trying to end my story doesn't mean the story you're part of has to be. There's not much more to it."
2:10 PM
He waits to see if Autumn will have any comments of her own. He does not add anything else yet.
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Autumn looks at Sam quietly. "Umm, Mrs Kidink… Can we just have one last moment with your son?" Thomas. "Am I really supposed to owe that to him after he made us run all around the state looking for him?" Naomi.
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 2:16 PM
"There's nothing more to say. If either you or Autumn have anything, I doubt it would affect the result."
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"You don’t… Have to owe him anything to give him something." Thomas. "I don’t take lectures from children." Naomi scowls, but motions for the other lawyers to back away. "But fine. You have 5 minutes. Don’t make me regret it, Sam."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 2:25 PM
Sam sighs. "Well, what? This is largely pointless. Do you want me to give the same advice I gave to Aura? Which is to stay in your town to prevent people from being roped into Avengard, by the way, because going to Avengard is what the real cause of our problems wants. There. I've done what I could." "...Sorry if I wasn't good enough."
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"No, it’s not you… It’s Ashley. She- She did this! She ruined this!" Autumn. Thomas hugs Sam.
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 2:30 PM
I might as well let them have this moment, considering there's very little else I should be doing. ...Ashley was the reason? Well, I suppose that was just inevitable. It might be good, even. "...Well, let her do what she wants. Just make sure she stays in that town. I was never fit to be so important, anyway." He responds to Autumn and says nothing else.
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"Let her- What are you talking about? She’s the problem! If she wasn’t here, you’d still be fine!" Autumn.
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 2:36 PM
"...So? It's okay. Maybe I'd be fine for a little while longer, but chances are someone else would've got me caught eventually. Trust me when I say it's more important that she stays than I do. I'm sure it wasn't deliberate, anyway. She needs to be kept in this town more than I do. Considering that something you can help with, even if I have to go. Or should I try to convince you that I'm a bad person?"
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"Alright, move off him." Autumn pulls Thomas away from Sam.
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 3:04 PM
Sam does not do anything about this. "...Well?"
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"Please come back… You can’t just leave us, okay?" Autumn.
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 3:11 PM
"...Sure. We'll see what happens." Well, I certainly can try. Now that I think about it, just because I'm getting dragged back to Avengard doesn't necessarily stop the event of me leaving again. It could be a good try if other methods don't work.
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"I’ll be waiting for you." Autumn suddenly closes her eyes leans in for a kiss, waiting for Sam to initiate it. It’s a profoundly uncomfortable sight.
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 3:22 PM
Hm... When I think about it now, this is probably not the best course of action. It would be very bad if either of these two tried to come here on account of me getting dragged away, because that would likely rope this entire cast into Avengard. He turns away and walks a few steps, figuring this is a little too close for comfort regardless. "Remember what I said earlier? Stick to Ashley. I don't know what you're trying to do, but it's definitely not for the best. She's better. You asked me what I meant earlier. This is what I meant."
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"Ugh, you… That was supposed to be a big moment!" Autumn. "Stop acting like a child." Thomas sighs. "Until next time, Sam. Whenever that is."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 3:28 PM
"...Sorry. I meant what I said. That's all." He says this, not really responding to either person.
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"You’re the only friend I’ve ever had!" Autumn. "Alright, time’s up." Naomi.
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 3:43 PM
"...You guys should really get along better, then, you know? Not just with Ashley, I mean in general. You're the ones that should be friends. I hate to say that because it might not be as interesting, but... It makes more sense than this nonsense. That would be good." "...Well, I'm done." He says this to Naomi. "Send me back."
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"Stop pushing me away-!" Autumn is pushed away by the other lawyers. Naomi walks outside.
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 3:55 PM
"..." There's nothing else I can do right now. It's weird. I thought this was over when I was dragged away at the interrogation, so I'm less inclined to struggle this time? It's less interesting to do the same thing twice, anyway. I'll figure out how to break the more important pattern soon. The faster I get the event of 'leaving to go back to Avengard' over with, the faster I open up more options for myself. He waves briefly, then follows Naomi.
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Naomi enters her car, and waits for Sam to get in.
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 4:05 PM
This is the same car, right? "You know you're giving me the opportunity to run again right now if I wanted to? I'm just kidding, of course. We haven't made it to Avengard yet." He gets in.
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"I’m watching you, Sam. You can’t just act however you want with no thought for anyone else." Naomi starts driving.
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 4:09 PM
"But that's more interesting. Of course, nobody has ever benefitted from me doing anything, and I've never thought about anyone else's concerns, as you just saw a few minutes ago."
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"I didn’t need to see it. I’ve known for a long time what a profoundly lazy child you are."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 4:14 PM
"Well, I haven't taken any actions on my own, so I'm glad we agree there."
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"I’m not. Is it really so hard for you to just grow up and be responsible? I’ve done everything in my power to raise you right and yet you keep doing this."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 4:23 PM
"Well, let's see... I've certainly taken responsibility of my own situation. I was unfortunately stopped by an entirely different factor." He does not address the first part. "I doubt any explanation I could give would make sense to you, though. Especially if it didn't for Autumn or Thomas. Unless you happen to have heard anything about it from Bob Smith."
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"Anything that man says is either nonsense or a lie. Thankfully, he’s trapped safely in prison now."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 4:29 PM
"...Oh, okay." I wonder if I should visit sometime? Perhaps he'll be more coherent under those circumstances. They tend to look for people to talk to, I'm sure. "...Actually, wait, wasn't he in some sort of cell last I remember? I guess he was transferred to prison, then."
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"I was in a cell with him, for a while. But I suppose you were too busy playing runaway to care, hm?"
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 4:34 PM
"I did what I needed to. That's all." Well, at least that's a little information about the situation. I doubt there much for me to see, but it wouldn't hurt just in case it gives me another opening.
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She finally smiles bittersweetly. "…I missed you, Sam."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 4:40 PM
"...Well, here we are now." I'm not going to bother pushing this.
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"Why are you so cold? What do you want from me? Am I just supposed to stand to the side and let you do nothing with your life? Do you expect me to follow in your apathy? Do you think parenting is my favourite thing in the world? No! But it’s my job as your mother, and I do it. The least you could do is bother doing your job as my son."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 4:48 PM
"There isn't anything I 'want'. ...I'm here now. That's all I think I should do. But in terms of doing a job, being a lawyer really does suit you better, otherwise you would've done your other job earlier. It's more interesting that way, too."
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"I’ve raised you for years, Sam. The fact you’ve pushed me to dragging you home doesn’t mean you haven’t been ignoring me for years already. You could do anything if you just put your mind to it… But instead you waste your life doing nothing! What will it take you to grow up and be responsible?"
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 4:59 PM
"Well, in terms of doing something, I'm sure I'll figure out that at some point. You know, I was considering getting a job somewhere in the other town until I was forced to pay attention to other matters. Perhaps there's some world in which I could've been just fine after enough weeks. But I certainly don't think I can do anything, and I'm not sure if I'd want to."
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"It’s not about what you want, Sam. It’s about what you have to do. Do you think everyone wants to work? That we all want to get up in the morning and do our jobs? You either work or you die out on the street. That’s life."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 5:11 PM
"I know. Don't get me wrong, I wish that could be the case. Maybe I could find a job at a fish store or whatever. But it's as I said. I was forced away from that. The sooner the greater factors at play come to a close, the better it will be for all of us."
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Naomi sighs."That damn lunatic."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 5:23 PM
"Oh, that was just an example. There isn't one in the other town." Though, I can't say I'm not curious what he's been up to. If Ehn had anything to say about it, he's been caught up in some annoying problems as well. I doubt there's much I can do there, though. I wonder how much someone like him can break this 'story'?
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"But he’s the one who dragged us into this. I hope he rots in that jail cell."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 5:28 PM
...Not much, apparently? I know he's fairly interesting, but that's surprising. In any case, I doubt he was trying to cause problems. "Okay."
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"Oh, by the way. That friend of yours? The hacker?"
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 5:33 PM
Ah, right! So much has been going on that I forgot she was around... I haven't been to her place for a few days. Did Ehn just figure she was irrelevant to my story? That's nonsense, maybe I really should try to get in contact with her if that will change anything at all. "What about her?"
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"She’s also in prison with him."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 5:40 PM
"Isn't she not old enough to be in-" How old is she, actually? How much do I even know about her, actually? Whatever. I guess it makes my job easiest if I want to talk to either of them. "For the same reason?"
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"She’s in her 20s, Sam." She sighs. "She was helping Bob Smith. So in that sense, yes. But on paper it’s a different charge."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 5:45 PM
"How strange. I didn't figure they were all that close. I suppose it's largely irrelevant, though."
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She frowns like she’s uncomfortable. "It was… My mistake. I made her watch him."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 5:55 PM
"Oh. Well, that's unfortunate. Perhaps the blame should be attributed to Bob Smith, then." He shrugs. And what was the point of that? Because he lied about killing me? There were far better uses of time, really.
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"Thankfully, my next bet is a much safer one."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 6:06 PM
"...Who?" Yourself? Me? Some entirely new person I've never heard of?
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"You."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 6:13 PM
"Oh. Sure, that works." It would be quite beneficial for now, actually.
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"That girl you were in the room with. Aurora?"
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 6:18 PM
"Aura, Aurora, something like that, yeah. Didn't actually talk with her much. ...What does she have to do with this?"
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"She gave me a deal, asking for me to let you go. She wasn’t a very good negotiator." Naomi lifts up a plastic container holding a single raw fish inside.
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 6:25 PM
...Great. I wonder when Aura got her hands on this. It's annoying that it didn't stay with Ashley. Perhaps this was part of the plot as well. I suppose I'll hold onto it until I can get back into contact with them. ...Actually, didn't I cut it in half? Whatever. I don't care to figure out if it's the same or not. "Well, it's no surprise. She has no idea what's going on."
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"Apparently this thing can make you strong, right?"
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 6:36 PM
...Maybe it's not the same after all. I have to trust what I saw. "It's possible? That's what I heard. There are a bunch of fish in the whole world, though. Who knows if she picked the right one, or if this applies to all fish."
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"I don’t find it very funny." She puts it back down.
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 6:38 PM
Well, now I know that she'll never catch on to the supposed 'plot'. Probably a good thing. "Do you know anything else about her?"
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"Not really. She’s beside the point."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 6:41 PM
"You're probably right."
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"The point is… You owe me. Quite a lot, I might add. Without me you wouldn’t even be born."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 6:45 PM
"...I don't see how that's related to Aura. But I'll watch Bob Smith, as you said." I'd really like to blame her for that. Unfortunately, I doubt Ehn's 'narrative' began that long ago.
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"I don’t want you to watch him. If anything, stay away from him. You’re going to use this fish to work for me."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 6:49 PM
"Do you really believe Aura? And you said Sarah was watching Bob Smith, so it goes without saying that I would do the same."
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"The prison system can watch him. I doubt terrorism has a light sentence."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 6:54 PM
"...Sure. Anyway, as I said, I'm not inclined to believe Aura made any sense."
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"Can it make you stronger or not? I don’t particularly care about what words she specifically used."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 6:58 PM
Well, since it's probably not the right one... "I doubt it. As in, no."
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"…Really? That’s disappointing. She didn’t seem like a liar."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 7:02 PM
"Well, from what I heard during my time there, she's not the smartest or someone who often makes clearly true statements."
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"I don’t trust an anti-social to make an accurate judgement of someone."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 7:06 PM
"...It's not my judgment. You should've asked Autumn."
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"The girl who kissed you?"
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 7:22 PM
"Tried to. For some reason. But that's irrelevant. You could ask any of the others there as well. Even one of the police."
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"What I meant was that I doubt you’re much more charismatic around girls than you are when I’m around. So she seems like a rather poor judge of character."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 7:27 PM
"Hm, who knows?"
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"You, I’d imagine."
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 7:32 PM
"..." I don't.
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"…"
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 7:38 PM
"Now what?"
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"Now we drive. Do you want me to magically make this go faster?"
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 7:43 PM
"Up to you." He says nothing else unless prompted.
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"…"
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 7:48 PM
"..."
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"…"
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 7:58 PM
"..."
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"…"
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 8:08 PM
"..."
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"…"
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The car enters Avengard
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / carolyn-blythe
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 8:14 PM
She puts away her phone with a sigh, and begins looking around the area outside of the graveyard in hopes of finding Ethfan.
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"Carolyn." Ethfan speaks bitterly as he approaches her. His face is bruised.
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 8:17 PM
"Oh dear, I do hope you are holding up alright. With an improperly maintained physical health, it must not have been an easy experience."
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"Don’t pity me. I’d rather be assaulted than suffer through that."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 8:20 PM
"Very well. Although, it is a shame you were unable to witness Ms. Maoziwam's speech. She threw quite a thorough list of insults towards the late Mr. Amon, perhaps you would have enjoyed it more than Mr. Johnner's."
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"…I don’t particularly care what anyone has to say about a corpse. I just hate Johnner."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 8:22 PM
"I don't suppose you would have any interest in the administration of group therapy to the two of you?"
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He stares at her silently for a moment, unimpressed. "I finally found her while you were busy with that nonsense."
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Carolyn Blythe 7/28/2023 8:26 PM
She nods "Thank you, I appreciate your effort. Is she alone at the moment?"
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((End session))
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((No session this week unless someone else makes more progress before then))
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((IM SORRY))
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((You will almost definitely have a session tomorrow))
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"She went into Grobber Brentwood's house alone. I’m still not sure where she was before then, but that’s irrelevant now."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 2:08 PM
"Excellent work, Ethfan. It is a shame my initial suspicion of where she was hiding turned out to be incorrect, I did not wish to draw this out any longer than necessary, but it appears that all will turn out well in the end." Carolyn starts towards the quickest route to Grobber's house.
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"I’m getting quite tired of this nonsense… At this rate she’ll keep us up for 48 hours straight." Ethfan follows.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 2:15 PM
"Do you have somewhere else that you need to be? I certainly wouldn't want your assistance with my personal matters to cut into any business you wished to attend to today."
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"Being in a bed, asleep, would be nice."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 2:18 PM
"I've never really seen the appeal, to be quite honest. Maintaining a proper sleep schedule is much the same as maintaining a proper diet or exercise routine. It is necessary to keep my body in a state that allows me to complete my work, but I've never been excited to spend time away from progress towards another's happiness."
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He lets out a miserable laugh. "A therapist who doesn’t believe in sleep... You’re free to stay up all night again if that’s what you want. I’m not going to do that."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 2:32 PM
She doesn't respond to this, taking a moment to ponder the events of the night before changing the subject "Would you mind if I inquired about the nature of the relation between Johnner's organization and the new Edlightenment?"
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"Yes, I would." He's silent for a moment. "Your father was always working for them, in a sense. I’m not sure of the extent, but when I reformed this cult… Sorry, religion… We simply chose to be more direct."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 2:39 PM
"...I see." She puts on an uneasy smile "How wonderful. My father understood his teachings more than I gave him credit for. As long as the result is eternal happiness... supporting illicit organizations is simply a necessary step, no matter the momentary suffering created."
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"You are aware they kill people, yes?"
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 3:12 PM
"Sometimes there is no ideal path... you can try your very best and still come up short of a perfect outcome. If my father had a way to create happiness for all, then he would have taken it, I am sure of that. He simply weighed the happiness created by Edlightenment against the consequences of working with the mafia. And now, because he believed in the right path until the end, he has inspired a new generation. The white suits and I. His efforts have created a world where it is just a bit easier to make a choice resulting in less suffering, through the combined effort of those carrying on his legacy."
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Ethfan laughs miserably as they arrive. "…We’re here."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 3:17 PM
"I never got far enough in my treatment of Mr. Brentwood for it to be necessary that I analyze what kind of security system his house has installed. I don't suppose you have any idea?"
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"Grace walked in without issue, supposedly. I suggest we simply do the same."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 3:22 PM
"...Very well." She eyes Ethfan's pockets "Do you plan to free her from her body, or shall I borrow your weapon for our visit?"
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"Did you not bring your own?"
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 3:28 PM
"Mr. Amon confiscated my firearms upon initial contact with me. The only opportunity I had to retake one was after his suicide, and, well... removing the weapon would prove he was not alone at the time. It has made my past week rather difficult, to say the least."
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He holds out his gun. "Fine. It’s yours now."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 3:42 PM
Carolyn takes it and places it in her purse "Thank you, Ethfan." She then enters the house as quietly as she can manage.
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((Roll))
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 3:44 PM
((15))
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Ethfan follows behind. Grace is currently laying on the couch, crying. She hasn’t noticed them yet.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 4:06 PM
Carolyn instinctively reaches for the gun, but stops herself upon processing the state that Grace is in. "I suppose this will not be as quick and easy as Michelle was. No matter, her overall mood should remain intact, I can't imagine it was completely shattered over the course of... what, not even a full day? I just need to get her over this slump." Carolyn approaches the couch "Oh dear, did something happen, Grace?"
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"Ah!" She’s surprised, and jumps back in shock. "What are… What are you 2 doing here?" "Isn’t it obvious? She’s here to kill you, of course." Ethfan.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 4:10 PM
"I am here to protect you, Grace. Just as I protected you from Mr. Amon. You are crying all alone, how could I stand by and let you suffer without anyone to talk to?"
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"I’m getting… Conflicting messages." She’s strangely relaxed. There's… No way. "Why are you lying to her? There’s no point." Ethfan.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 4:13 PM
She motions to Ethfan "My associate here is highly disturbed. I could not leave him alone while visiting you, I do apologize."
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"I see…" Grace. She's lying. No! How dare you think that, you paranoid bitch. You ruin everything, don’t you? "Highly disturbed by your two-facedness, yes." Ethfan.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 4:25 PM
"...I cannot help but feel that this conversation is centering a bit too much on me, rather than you, Grace. I came to help you, after all."
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"How did you know I was here?" Grace. Was she following me? Why was she doing that!? No, she wouldn’t…. She wouldn’t do that. What is wrong with you? Are you going to end on a bad note with her too? "She stalked you." Ethfan.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 4:31 PM
"I simply made an educated guess. There was a chance that you returned to your old habit of running away, and where else would you run to but here? If you did not run away, I would stay out of your hair and simply visit an empty home, but if you did, then you would clearly need my help."
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"But you were…" Grace looks at the ground. "You were supposed to stay away from me now. I’m supposed to… Reach the next stage."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 4:36 PM
"If you had reached the next stage, you would not be here. By running away, you came to me just as much as I came to you. Regardless, there is no shame in needing one last session, you have had an impressively quick turnaround, all things considered."
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"Do you ever feel like… Things should just end?" Grace still doesn’t look Carolyn in the eye. "Like… Close the book on life. And then the rest can just… Sort of be implied? I lived happily ever after. No need to dwell on specifics."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 4:42 PM
Carolyn smiles "Is that what you wished to create for me? A story where you lived on happily, because I never saw you again, and thus had no reason to believe anything changed? That is certainly my favorite kind of story... but as long as we work within the confines of this world, it is quite the unrealistic genre."
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"I was just… Thinking. I finished it, right? I fixed myself, faced my past, and just… It should be over. There’s not… Really anything more for me to do. I already finished my life, and I just have to either wait out the rest." Grace. Ethfan is stunned.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 4:49 PM
"...Yes, that is certainly one perspective on matters. As a therapist, your present and past are quite important matters to have settled, but maybe I neglected to give you a proper perspective on your future. No, proper is not the correct word here... a standard perspective is what you lack. What you hold now... if it can lead to happiness, I have no reason to tell you it is wrong. Tell me, would knowing you've done enough for the entire rest of your life to be solved... make you happy?"
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"…There’s no way you can actually prove that." Grace. (edited)
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 5:16 PM
"So your issue is one of practical application rather than the backing theory. In that case, I do believe the proof is rather trivial." Carolyn takes out her gun and points it at Grace "One must simply adjust what 'the entire rest of your life' means."
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"Wh-!?" Grace stares at her in shock. Did she… Really kill her?
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 5:26 PM
"Now, now, don't forget to look ahead, Grace. You already solved your past, yes? What I'm showing you now is the solution to your future. So join me in celebration of your freedom. Your story can never turn for the worse again... This is your happily ever after."
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"But there’s… Nothing after death. If I die now, it makes everything… Worthless. I became happy just to lose it." Grace.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 5:32 PM
"You are quite lucky that this world runs on such inclusive rules. Many religions try to pressure you into believing through the consequence of not doing so being eternal suffering. A cheap trick indicative of a lack of true enlightenment. This world is uncaring, it matters not if you understand it, but still, it can only help if I comfort you with my knowledge. As long as you die happy, that emotion will never die. This is just the start of your bliss, not the end."
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It… is? Grace. "Wh-What do you mean?" "It means she’s a serial killer of happy people. To some, that might be considered a saviour." Ethfan.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 5:43 PM
"I belong to religious group known as Edlightenment. Our scripture let me understand the truth of this world. When the physical body dies... the soul remains. However, with no way to interact with the physical world anymore, it cannot be changed. What you are when you lose that connection with the world of the living, is what you remain for all eternity. It is perfect, isn't it?"
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Yeah… Grace. "Is that… What happened to Michelle?" (edited)
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 5:48 PM
"Excellent detective work, Grace. She passed away peacefully watching a film of her choice. Combined with my treatment allowing her to be happy with her career, I can't imagine there's many souls floating around with a better attitude than her right now."
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Grace smiles strangely. "Then… Can you do that for me too?" Ethfan suddenly forces himself in the middle of them. "Absolutely not! Something’s… Something's clearly wrong!"
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 5:55 PM
Carolyn's mouth twitches, but she tries to maintain a smile "Ethfan... what exactly are you trying to accomplish here? Need I remind you that you were the one who suggested I help Grace in this manner a mere couple of days ago?"
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"What kind of happy person wants to die? If you kill her right now she’ll obviously spend that life in misery." Ethfan. "Why does everything have to go wrong for me…?" Grace mutters.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 6:01 PM
"She would be miserable if she had to live out a full life. Just because you insist on torturing yourself, do not assume no one else will realize the best path to happiness. If I were to die now, I would be perfectly fine with such a turn of events. That is proof enough."
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"You’re-" He forcefully cuts himself off. "She’s actively begging for it. This isn’t true happiness." "Then… What is?" Grace.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 6:08 PM
"Grace, do not trust this man. I am the therapist here. He is simply a miserable mafioso who does not understand the first thing about his own religion. She is begging for it because she understands the obvious. The existence of the afterlife changes the meaning of death completely. It is not the end of one's life, just the transition to a state of freedom from choice and consequences. If she was begging for it before I told her this, then your concern would be valid."
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He bites his lip. "How about a compromise, then?"
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 6:12 PM
She raises an eyebrow "...You have the floor, Mr. Kerloe. Make your pitch."
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"It’s not often you find people willing to believe you, is it? People who agree to do as Edlightenment believes. Why not simply use her… Current delusion… To fuel our goal." Ethfan.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 6:21 PM
"That... would certainly be a more efficient use of resources. Assuming she is willing to join the cause, of course. Dragging around an unwilling participant would not only inconvenience me during my work, but risk ending her own happiness too." Carolyn steps to the side of Ethfan, to get a clear view of Grace "Well then, Grace? Making your happiness here eternal, or assisting me in bringing others to the same fate... I am afraid you must make one final decision."
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"I don’t… Really think I know how to selfless… Like you." Grace. I don’t deserve this offer…
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 6:32 PM
"That is perfectly fine, Grace. Everyone is granted happiness in different ways. I am able to maintain my happiness through helping others. If that does not seem sustainable for you, it would be best for us to resume with our initial plan."
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"Giving up so easily? Can’t you fix her? That’s your job, last time I checked." Ethfan.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 6:38 PM
"I lead people to happiness, I don't transform them into whatever is most convenient to me, like some kind of malleable thrall. She is her own person, and she has made her own choice. You saw the state Maria was in when Lelouch attempted to ignore interiority when acting as a savior."
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"I don’t know who 'Maria' is. But don’t act like there’s a difference. You force people to be happy just like you could force them into whatever role you wanted." Ethfan. (edited)
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 6:47 PM
"Sure, there is no difference in the methods one would need to employ, but need I remind you that the end result is what matters? Would you really rather Grace live out a miserable life in your cult rather than in eternal bliss? Is this how you treat all of your 'white suits', keeping them trapped in misery because of your own irrational fears?"
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Ethfan glares at Carolyn silently. "Could you… Really teach me?" Grace.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 6:55 PM
Carolyn takes an unusually long time to respond "...Yes, I believe it is possible, if it is what you would want. The most important step in changing yourself is truly believing both that a goal is attainable, and is what will bring you happiness. Humanity is capable of selfless actions, there is no reason you would be excluded. The only thing stopping you would be your own hesitance."
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"Dana… Offered me this… Relationship. With her… And also her girlfriend. But I pushed it away because… I just… I didn’t dese-" Grace is interrupted by Ethfan. "Yes, get to the point. I don’t particularly care about your whining." Ethfan. "I want to be… Someone who was deserving of that. If it’s possible." Grace.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 7:07 PM
"From my perspective, I believe everyone is deserving of a comforting relationship with those they love. Regardless, I understand it is easier to be tough on yourself, to place a mental block because you have not done enough 'good' in the world. If you believe being with the two of them will make you happy, then... yes, I am sure I can make you into a person who believes they are deserving of what you seek."
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Grace gets up and hugs Carolyn. "…Thank you."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 7:26 PM
Carolyn returns the hug "It is no trouble at all... I am happy to provide guidance until you reach your goal."
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"…You said I deserve love already, right?" She closes her eyes. "Then… Can you show me it again?"
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 8:18 PM
"Of course... Nothing would make me happier." Carolyn's face approaches Grace's, but she keeps her eyes open, watching her own arm loosen itself from Grace. As the two sets of lips make contact, the gun in Carolyn's hand carefully reaches the temple of Grace's head. Carolyn mentally prepares herself for the ringing pain she's about to experience, and pulls the trigger at point-blank range.
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The bullet fires, killing Grace instantly. Her body falls over lifelessly. Ethfan starts lightly clapping, though the sound is temporarily inaudible.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
ehn-pc
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Anomaly detected. Cosmically simultaneous important events occurred.
8:26 PM
Grace Wight is shot in the head by Carolyn Blythe and dies instantly.
8:28 PM
Grace's sister, Sophie Wight, awakens from her 5 day long coma.
8:29 PM
Sophie's closest friend, Sam Kidink, finally arrives back in Avengard.
8:29 PM
All 3 events occur on the same millisecond.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / carolyn-blythe
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 8:34 PM
Carolyn instinctively brings her hands to her ears, though this obviously doesn't help. "Darn, that was... not the smartest method for maintaining a healthy body. Perhaps this is why therapists tend to avoid relationships with their patients."
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He laughs miserably. "Well... Congratulations. You passed the test. I was afraid you'd forget the whole point of this exercise."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 8:39 PM
She slowly places the gun back into her purse "Yes, well... You brought up a valid consideration. It was impossible to tell the difference between her genuinely believing in the Edlightenment afterlife, and her simply being suicidal. I had to be sure she was looking forward to her future."
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"And now you've passed... Welcome to the New Edlightenment. I'll explain your first mission tomorrow."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 8:49 PM
"I look forward to it. I do apologize for Grace being such a difficult patient. I hope you enjoy your rest, you deserve the break for all the help you have provided."
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He shrugs. "We should probably get out of here, though. That gunshot was quite loud."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 9:06 PM
"Excellent point. There is no need to linger when our work is done. That is only for those who have been saved." She heads to the front door, and peers out to see if there are any witnesses around.
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No one. Ethfan hurries out.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 9:07 PM
Carolyn follows his lead.
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There is an old man standing on the road as they leave. For some reason she can’t quite place right now, he feels strangely familiar to Carolyn. Ethfan stares at him. Neither of them say anything, but the old man just watches passively.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 9:20 PM
Carolyn takes note of his appearance in case she happens to run into him again, but does not slow down.
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Ethfan follows her. The old man says nothing. Carolyn and Ethfan successfully leave the crime scene without being noticed. "A hotel again tonight, I suppose?"
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Carolyn Blythe 8/5/2023 9:31 PM
Carolyn sighs "Yes, I do believe that would be for the best." She begins making her way to such a location.
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((End session))
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((Saturday))
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They arrive at a hotel.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/12/2023 2:07 PM
Carolyn books a room at the hotel and then goes to that room.
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Ethfan enters the room and shuts the door behind her. "Now that we’re alone, may I ask you a question?"
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Carolyn Blythe 8/12/2023 2:09 PM
"Of course, I have no intention of hiding any information from one of my coworkers. Please feel free."
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"Now, I may not be a literal mindreader like you… But I understand people enough to find it quite unlikely you realized what I was doing when you shot Grace."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/12/2023 2:12 PM
"...That is an accurate assessment of events yes. I do apologize for my lack of faith in you, Mr. Kerloe. I allowed my emotions to control me in some... unsavory comments directed towards you."
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"Then at the time… You must have understood that Grace was perfectly willing to join us and help us save everyone. And yet… You killed her. Now, forgive me if this comes off as paranoid… But would this not have quite dire implications on your actions once you meet the rest of the New Edlightenment?"
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Carolyn Blythe 8/12/2023 2:23 PM
She smiles and gives a light shake of her head "Perhaps you misunderstand my decision. Grace was willing to join us, yes, I have no doubts about that... but that was not her method of reaching happiness in and of itself. She wished to join Ms. Craig's entourage, using her work in Edlightenment as nothing more than proof of 'deserving' happiness. Do you really think someone like that understands our ideals? She would be of no help at all, and with her reliance on Ms. Craig, she'd certainly be a liability."
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"Well… It wouldn’t be the first time you’ve killed a fellow believer, would it?"
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Carolyn Blythe 8/12/2023 2:29 PM
"The original Edlightenment was useless when it came to helping those outside of it. There was no reason for them to stay around, I am sure they would thank me now, if they could. Besides, shouldn't you be thanking me for that? After all, without my actions there, the New Edlightenment never would have been inspired to take up the cause."
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He sits down on the bed, places his head in his hands, and just starts miserably laughing.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/12/2023 2:34 PM
"...Not that I expect, nor desire, gratitude for my work. It was merely an observation. Many in your position would be thankful for the actions that have led them to such a prestigious role, do you not think? It is rather noble of you to ignore such details."
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"…So it’s noble not to show gratitude now? I see. I’ll be sure to ignore you without bias, then." He shrugs.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/12/2023 2:46 PM
"Have your concerns been settled then, Mr. Kerloe? I am afraid that I am rather tired at the moment, so I do not wish to elongate this conversation more than necessary."
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"Yes, yes… Goodnight."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/12/2023 2:55 PM
Carolyn prepares herself for sleep, including jotting some quick notes regarding those she interacted with throughout the past 'day'. These include Bob Smith, Ethfan Kerloe, Lelouch Maoziwam, Jeff Johnner, Howard Scott... but not Grace Wight. Her chapter is finished, there is no need for further deliberation on her treatment. Carolyn puts away her notebook, and allows herself to drift to sleep in the hotel bed.
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Carolyn is later awoken by her phone ringing. ((Pause the session for a second))
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((Nvm just end session))
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((Ok at this point I don't think you'll have a session this week either sorry.))
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((Saturday))
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Carolyn is later awoken by her phone ringing.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/26/2023 2:03 PM
Carolyn takes a look at her phone screen to determine both who is calling and what time she has woken up to.
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It’s not a familiar number. She’s been unconscious for a few hours and it’s getting late, but it’s still before midnight.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/26/2023 2:07 PM
Carolyn collects herself and attempts to fight off any drowsiness remaining from her time asleep, needing to put on a cheerful attitude while remaining wary of who may be targeting her. She answers the call "Hello there, may I ask who is calling?"
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"Blythe, right?" It’s Fredrick. He sounds less energetic than usual.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/26/2023 2:10 PM
"...Yes, you have the correct number. It is good to hear from you again, Mr. Wight. Though I may say it is quite unexpected."
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"I got a visit, earlier. 2 guys who didn’t exactly seem to have everything together."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/26/2023 2:13 PM
"Are you meaning to imply there is some relation between these individuals and myself? It is rather true that I have dealt with many such cases, and as such I could not guess from this descriptor alone to whom you are referring."
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"I don’t exactly get surprised when any nutjob wants the TV spotlight. But these guys… They wanted to talk with me about you. You got any guesses as to why?"
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Carolyn Blythe 8/26/2023 2:16 PM
"Recommending my services, perhaps?"
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"Why would they need that from me? No… These guys were dead serious in their claim you were gonna murder my daughter."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/26/2023 2:20 PM
"Oh dear... I wonder what I could have done to provide them with such a negative mental image of myself. As I said, I have dealt with mentally unstable individuals before, so I apologize if my actions have indirectly led to paranoid schizophrenics being involved in your life. Did they happen to provide names? I would like to smooth things out with them as soon as possible."
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"…Heh. Funny. You’re right, this whole thing’s an obvious farce, right?"
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Carolyn Blythe 8/26/2023 2:23 PM
"Of course. There is no reason to suspect that your daughter is in any abnormal amount of danger. Though, I do understand that it may be difficult to not fret over these concerns as her father."
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"See, when I was leaving that… I thought I’d just leave you an important reminder. I’m a very sort of… Laissez-faire guy, if you’ll excuse my French. But if anyone hurts my family, well I’d be a pretty shitty guy if I didn’t do something about it, y’know?"
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Carolyn Blythe 8/26/2023 2:30 PM
"Everyone has their own priorities, but yes, that would be the typical assessment one would expect. I understand that this call is something of a threat, but I assure you there is nothing to be worked up over. I have no intention of bringing harm to your daughter."
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"I settled on that too… Eventually. Until I got a call from the cops to identify my daughter's body."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/26/2023 2:34 PM
Carolyn puts on a fake surprise and concern in her voice "Y-you...!? I'm sorry, Mr. Wight, but this really isn't the time for jokes. This is your daughter's life you're talking about... You're not serious... are you!?"
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"I’m a funny guy, but not that funny."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/26/2023 2:40 PM
"My condolences, that is... I mean, I cannot even imagine what you must be feeling. How did she... No, discussing the details must be hard for you, I apologize."
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"I don’t know yet." He admits.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/26/2023 2:44 PM
"I see... If you ever need someone to talk to while processing this, I could get a therapy appointment arranged for you. It is the least I could do after taking up your time yesterday."
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"You’ve got confidence. Never seen someone hear a murder accusation and shrug it off before."
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Carolyn Blythe 8/26/2023 2:50 PM
"There is nothing for me to respond to in regards to that. Without either of us knowing the cause of death, it is impossible to determine if this case truly is a murder. I am sure that I did not harm your daughter, what I am less sure on is your emotional state at the moment, therefore it makes sense that I would prioritize the latter."
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"I’m sure you’d know if you did it, don’t you?"
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Carolyn Blythe 8/26/2023 2:55 PM
"That is what would naturally occur, yes."
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"You swear this wasn’t you?"
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Carolyn Blythe 8/26/2023 2:58 PM
"With all of my heart, Mr. Wight."
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He sighs. "…I’m not a particularly doubtful man. I’ll put my faith in you for now." He goes silent for a moment before continuing, uncertain. "It’s not free trust though. So… If the police turn on you, there’ll be consequences much worse than the law." He hangs up.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/26/2023 3:09 PM
Carolyn moves her phone away from her ear, and takes a glance around the room, checking on the state of Ethfan.
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He’s asleep.
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Carolyn Blythe 8/26/2023 3:29 PM
"I will have to inform him about this later. From the sounds of it, these individuals were not with the police. Bob Smith certainly believes me to be a murderer, but he is in prison. It is very possible that Matrick overheard Bob's accusations, not to mention his assistance with James's arrest attempt, and Ethfan never followed up with me on his location. I cannot say for certain how much Sean Niebel suspects of me, but he is certainly not a friendly party. It is possible he is still in the hospital, but I should not make assumptions. Fredrick referred to his visitors as 'two guys' but perhaps he could have meant it in a gender neutral way. Dana Craig would fit in that case, perhaps joined by Grobber... No, he should also been in prison. There was that other woman who joined them on their call a few days ago. Ariel, if I am not mistaken. Many strong possibilities, and that is not accounting for the possibility of subterfuge within my set of allies. Regardless, whoever it is... may have just created their own evidence against them. Predicting a murder and blaming it on someone else... that certainly resembles what a shortsighted culprit framing me to take the fall would attempt. If the need be, we have that route open to us. It is clear that I have much to discuss in the morning." Carolyn sets her phone down and returns to sleep.
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((End chapter. End session))
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Other Town / ashley-laurier
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In the room outside Thomas is standing next to Aura. It sort of looks like he’s trying to be a comforting presence but he’s also just standing there silently. Aura is staring at the floor. On the opposite side of the room is Autumn, glaring intensely at the door to outside.
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Ashley Laurier 8/21/2023 10:49 PM
Honestly, she has no idea what to say. Whatever she does is probably gonna fuck something up, so her first instinct is to just say nothing– but it'd be even worse if she stood there and did nothing to help when Autumn needed it, wouldn't it? Maybe... Maybe what she'll do is just say something quick to reassure her she's there. Something about how she won't push the issue, but she's there for Autumn if she needs it. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, but she should wait a few seconds before then, so that it doesn't seem like she's desperate. Make it like something she's thought about instead of something she clearly hasn't.
10:49 PM
She waits a few seconds to say what's on her mind. She does this.
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Autumn storms out of the building before then.
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Ashley Laurier 8/21/2023 10:50 PM
Ffffffuck.
10:52 PM
Ashley makes a noise that's somewhere between a whimper and a groan and tries to follow her out of the building, calling her name behind her. Okay, if she doesn't respond to this, Ashley will let it go.
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She doesn’t respond. Thomas grabs Ashley’s arm roughly. "Don’t go after her."
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Ashley Laurier 8/21/2023 10:55 PM
Okay, if she doesn't respond THIS time, Ashley will– She reacts to Thomas grabbing her arm like she's been hit with a jolt of electricity, jerking involuntarily against him. "What- What're you doing?! Quit it!"
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"I’m telling you not to bother with her." He does let go, but his expression seems more confused than apologetic. Aura pretends she doesn’t exist and ignores this argument.
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Ashley Laurier 8/21/2023 11:28 PM
"How can't I bother with her?! She's...!" Ashley looks in the direction Autumn was walking to see if she's still within sight, her heart dropping. No, fuck, he's right. Ashley's being stupid and obsessive and she needs to drop it before she digs herself into a deeper hole. Maybe she can text Autumn later, when things have calmed down, and- Am I doing it again? I'm fucking doing it again. I just need to spend a minute not trying to fix something. But fixing things is my life. How can I stop wanting to help someone when helping people is the only thing I might even be good for? If I don't have this, what am I supposed to-? Okay, calm down. It's not like you've lost everything. You still haven't lost everything. Maybe you ruined her friendship, got her in trouble with her parents, but maybe she'll see you sticking by her side through all of that and want to keep you around. Nothing's gone that far off the rails yet. "........Fine." Ashley steps away from Thomas, but she stops trying to run after Autumn. She just stands in place, like her surroundings don't matter unless somebody's telling her to move. (edited)
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"Let's go, Aurora." Thomas drags her out and she doesn't fight back. "Goodnight, Nyashley!" Aura calls out as they leave.
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Ashley Laurier 8/21/2023 11:33 PM
"...'night," Ashley mumbles back.
11:34 PM
She's probably supposed to walk home by herself, then. The idea dimly registers to her as she spends an indeterminate amount of time standing in nothingness. Actually... what time is it? Wait, does she even have her phone? She checks.
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She has her phone. It's about 8PM. Her body is still in pain from the tasers though.
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Ashley Laurier 8/21/2023 11:40 PM
When is her body not in pain from something? She idly checks out Twitter while standing outside of the police station for no rational reason.
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She has a DM from junietheroach.
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Ashley Laurier 8/21/2023 11:43 PM
Fuck it, she'll just get it over with.
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junietheroach: arent you going to respond???
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Ashley Laurier 8/22/2023 12:07 AM
loveloveguilty: i want to but idk how im even supposed to loveloveguilty: its not me in those screenshots but i don't know how id get you to believe me much less everyone else who isnt even mutuals w/ me
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junietheroach: youre basically admitting its you
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Ashley Laurier 8/22/2023 12:11 AM
loveloveguilty: this is exactly why i dont know how im supposed to tell you its not
12:11 AM
loveloveguilty: i have no idea what ive even done to make you believe that but ive already crossed some line somehow that i can't see
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junietheroach: why would someone lie about that huh
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Ashley Laurier 8/22/2023 12:30 AM
loveloveguilty: maybe it has something to do with me suspiciously getting a million followers out of nowhere for no reason over nothing i actually did??? i told you someone literally broke into my house to do this, even before those fake dms started coming out, there's absolutely someone with something against me somehow
12:31 AM
loveloveguilty: uou dont think it could be any one of the people i blocked trying to smear me or abything????
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junietheroach: thats a good point
12:32 AM
junietheroach: fine
12:32 AM
junietheroach: youre my friend so itd be pretty bad if you turned out to be a bad person all along
12:32 AM
junietheroach: ppl might think im one too
12:32 AM
junietheroach: ill think about it
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Ashley Laurier 8/22/2023 12:42 AM
Ashley feels herself getting emotional out of relief. (edited)
12:42 AM
loveloveguilty: thank you. i dont even know what to say i have no idea how im going to get through this but it means a lot
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They don't respond. (edited)
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Ashley Laurier 8/22/2023 12:54 AM
She starts walking home. That conversation made her feel rejuvenated enough to walk, if anything.
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Ashley arrives home without issue.
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Ashley Laurier 8/22/2023 1:02 AM
She puts her hand on the doorknob. Whatever they say to her, she'll deal with it. Ashley opens the door to her house.
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Her parents are in the living room and immediately look at her as she enters. They then immediately look at each other. Raymond sighs, and speaks. "So uh, did everything get resolved?"
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Ashley Laurier 8/22/2023 1:04 AM
"...I guess."
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"…That’s good." He nods and then mumbles something that vaguely sounds like ‘proud of you'.
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Ashley Laurier 8/22/2023 1:06 AM
She raises her eyebrows. "What?"
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"Hm? Uh… Did you want a goodnight?" Raymond.
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Ashley Laurier 8/22/2023 1:30 AM
"No, I-........" "...............No, it's fine, dad. See you in the morning." Ashley heads to her room. That was somewhat less trouble than she was expecting. Every cloud has a silver lining, maybe.
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"See you." He mumbles. Ashley’s room is normal, thankfully.
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Ashley Laurier 8/22/2023 1:38 AM
As soon as she gets inside her room, she opens her text messages to Autumn's number. She doesn't send anything or even begin to. She just stares at the screen, blankly rereading through the most recent message history.
1:43 AM
Nothing is happening. Well, there's no way it would. She's going to have to make it happen tomorrow, herself. She turns off her phone, sets it down on her nightstand, turns off the light, and immediately throws herself face-down onto her bed without getting under the covers.
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Ashley drifts off to sleep. In her dreams she awakens in her bed, on the same Saturday morning.
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Ashley Laurier 8/22/2023 7:30 PM
Once she wakes up, she instinctively grabs at the place she left her phone on her nightstand and holds it above her face as she checks for new messages from Autumn.
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Good Morning, Ashley❤️
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((To be clear this is a text from Autumn. In case that was unclear))
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Ashley Laurier 8/31/2023 2:27 PM
Ashley sighs and unthinkingly drops her phone on her face. Agh! It hurts more than she expected it to, but she doesn't have the mental energy to move and instead just lets the pain sink into her. When she removes the phone from her face, she realizes she has accidentally typed and sent something with it, that being 'gknfjs'.
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New Netflix password!
Autumn responds quickly.
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Ashley Laurier 8/31/2023 2:38 PM
No, she didn't mean to– AAAAGGHHH.
do you have to do this
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Am I embarrassing you?
Sorry!!!!!
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Ashley Laurier 8/31/2023 6:25 PM
it's not like that i just wish you'd be yourself again
not forced to pretend you're into me like this
(edited)
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Anything for you!
I’ll be completelyyyy normal
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Ashley Laurier 8/31/2023 6:53 PM
She groans again and almost throws her phone off her bed, just barely resisting the urge to do that or some other stupid impulsive shit to distract her from how much she hates herself right now. "Isn't there any way I can undo this?" she asks aloud, staring up at the ceiling. "Ehn, what can I do to take this back? Why are you making this happen?"
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Ehn doesn’t respond.
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Ashley Laurier 9/2/2023 12:09 AM
Of course it doesn't. This thing doesn't exist to make fair deals, or give her what would make her happy. It's there to watch her suffer on her own, just like everyone else. She can't even bring herself to message Autumn any further right now, so she tries opening up Twitter to distract herself.
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People are still mad at her for things she didn't do.
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Ashley Laurier 9/2/2023 9:39 PM
Oh, right. Great. In place of that, she considers what else she could do to keep herself occupied. Could she maybe message Aura about things? No, she's… not in a good enough place for that. Ashley can't start barging into her already rough life to burden her with totally unrelated venting about largely self-made problems. Thomas is off the list as soon as he comes to mind– there's basically no doubt in Ashley's mind that he still just actually hates her, and the feeling is pretty much mutual. As for her parents, she'd feel more uplifted if she tried making an imaginary friend to talk to. Not that her childhood was without those. She'd miss them a lot more if she didn't know better than to believe they're real now that she's older. Stupid, stupid, stupid. She's sitting here trying to distract herself and reminisce while Autumn is like this now because of her? She needs to take some fucking responsibility. Right now, she has to believe that Autumn isn't too far gone. Yeah, maybe she's under some freaky mind control to be in love with Ashley, but that theoretically shouldn't affect her personality any other way, right? So maybe if Ashley just figures out how to shut off that part of her, things can be normal again…? She opens her messages with Autumn.
autumn what would you do if i said i didn't love you back
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I'd kill mysekf.
*myself
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Ashley Laurier 9/2/2023 10:21 PM
Ashley's heart sinks into her chest. No, no. What?? This doesn't even make any fucking sense! Autumn has so much besides this, doesn't she? She's not like Ashley. Everyone at school is obsessed with her, she has parents that… well, at least when they're not mad at her about something they seem like they care about her, she has basically the entire town indebted to her and her acts of kindness. Why can't she live without Ashley? In some strange mixture of desperation and anger(?), Ashley sends all of these thoughts at her in a series of disconnected messages.
10:21 PM
Autumn. what
you're not serious right? you can't be serious
there's so many people who love you already why can't you live for them
you have your parents and everyone at school and even everyone in the whole town
please don't do this because of me
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But you're the one I love
My everything
I can't really function without you.
Isn't this what you've always wanted too?
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Ashley Laurier 9/2/2023 10:43 PM
Fuck, she needs to throw up. She can feel it rising in her throat. Fuck. Is the room spinning, or is she just getting dizzy again? She needs to get this to stop.
10:43 PM
you don't understand. whether i want it or not doesn't matter. this is not good for me
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Why can’t you do what you want?
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Ashley Laurier 9/2/2023 11:13 PM
it's like an addiction. an alcoholic can't stop himself from pouring the next glass even when he knows he's hurting everyone he loves like this. he'll never stop wanting more
She's barely thinking as she types this. It's like the emotions are flowing straight from her heart to her fingers, moving completely independently of her brain.
i'm addicted to you. i get drunk on tasting you. even though i know it's wrong, i want every part of you to revolve around me. that's why every time you show me kindness my only thought is how i can take more from you
and i want you to be your own person, autumn. i hate knowing i'm taking advantage of you but i keep doing it. it's not even your own choice that you're in love with me and that's my fault
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But I want you to take advantage of me.
Even when I don’t want it.
Thats how love is. Everyone uses everyone and takes everything until there’s nothing left to take.
Lelouch Maoziwam started a thread. 9/4/2023 6:33 PM
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Ehn/PC
But I want you to take advantage of me.
Even when I don’t want it.
Thats how love is. Everyone uses everyone and takes everything until there’s nothing left to take.
Ashley Laurier 9/6/2023 10:40 PM
Reading these messages feels like a sucker punch to the chest. Since when did she ask for... this? Yeah, she wanted Autumn to be in love with her, as shitty as that was, but the idea that this was the kind of 'love' she wanted, that this... Fuck, is she getting off on this?? Is she happy that Autumn would rather commit suicide than be without her??? And… FUCK, she's just playing into this fucking horrible idea of love by being like this, by reaffirming to the girl she loves that every lover she'll have is going to treat her like this. Autumn, who was already convinced she was only allowed to fall in love with boys… who every boy in their class probably has their eye on anyways, thinking fucking disgusting things like this about her, probably fantasizing about this exact kind of depraved shit with her… Ashley's just another one of them. Just another reason this girl will end up thinking that this is the only kind of 'love' she can ever hope for. Ashley wished for this. It isn't until the pain in her chest gets tighter than usual that she realizes her phone is on her bed, having fallen out of her hands. Her hands, which are now wrapped around– Oh, she's choking herself. That isn't good. Okay… focus on the phone. She has to say what Autumn needs to hear right now. One shaking hand reaches for her phone to type something on its keyboard. Her finger presses down on the first letter. She passes out.
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((End chapter))
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / bob-and-grobber
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Both wake up in the same prison beds the next morning.
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Grobber wakes up with a startm his eyes flying open at the same time. ".....mmph."
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Bob wakes up and attempts to make his hair look like Jackson Day.
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((Roll))
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((12))
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It kind of looks like that if you squint.
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BOb searches for ideology overdrive.
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((Channel split))
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Bob Smith BOT 6/24/2023 2:49 PM
He is searching
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Advehnt Guard
Avengard / grobber-brentwood
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"...thank fuck, man."
2:49 PM
Grobber looks around his cell for any insects or the like.
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((Roll))
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12
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There are a few small bugs around.
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Grobber regards them with a smile, but doesn't get too close to them. "Heh, little dudes... looks like we're in it for the long haul, eh-hem... yeah... yeah..."
2:54 PM
He traces the lines in the wall with his fingers. "A good day to die.... a good day to die like all the rest."
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The bugs do not respond.
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That's okay. He didn't need them to.
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Clyde Reaction walks past his cell.
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"PUSSY!"
3:13 PM
"WHY DON'T YOU BRING ME BACK SOME BREAKFAST OR I'LL BEAT YOUR FACE TO A PULP!"
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"Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil."
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"I'll see you later, bitch."
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He keeps walking away.
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Grobber goes back to looking at bugs, before picking at his teeth.
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"Grobber Brentwood! Someone is here to see you!" A guard comes to the cell.
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Grobber sighs, going to the room to meet whoever is waiting for him.
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It's this woman. "Good morning, Mr. Brentwood. My name is Naomi Kidink, I'm a defense attorney. You may have heard of me."
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"Mmff. Yeah. Hey."
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"I understand you've been accused of being a local terrorist known as The Fungus?"
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"Yeah, that's the charge..."
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"It's also my understanding that you don't currently have an attorney defending you?"
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"Yup. They got me in here to rot, dude." He refuses to put the dots together.
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"If you pay my standard fee, I would be more than willing to defend you. I might even be able to make you eligible for parole by the end of the day. I am a professional, after all."
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"Dawg, I-" He shakes his head. "First things first, I don't have any money. My shit got all wrapped up in some Shuichi Maoziwam-Jeff Johnner-Gus Amon scheme. They cleaned me out. 'Sides. I just... I don't even know what I would do outside of here."
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She thinks about something before responding. "…What would you do in here that you couldn’t do outside?"
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"Eat for free. Easily avoid people. Bash people for fun. Get good drugs without leaving my cell."
3:45 PM
"Do you know how much fucking... work, it is, just to make it out there?"
3:46 PM
"Shit eats you up at all sides. Gotta work to make money to buy food, pay taxes..."
3:46 PM
"People like you are forced to always fight against entropy. In here, I'm free."
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"Do you really think that kind of life is truly living? You’re asking to live as a pet to no one. Life can be stressful… But when you have to do things you don’t want to, that’s how you know you’re alive."
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"No life is worth l-living! It's all bh." He swallows. "bullshit! It's all just-" Grobber sighs, and leans back. "Listen, dude, I appreciate the help, and I understand the hustle, like I get it. But I'm just a worthless kid. I can't give you the nectar you're tryna squeeze out of me. Sorry."
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She sighs. "…I don’t need your money. I need you to watch someone for me."
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"W-watch someone? Who exactly do you need watching?" (edited)
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"Bob Smith. Your cellmate."
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"...Sure. I can do that. Don't got much else to do. Don't worry about letting me out. I'm fine how I am."
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"No. You’re not."
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"Dude, out there... I gotta deal with the folks around me, my fucking. Bitch ex. I gotta deal with my stolen valor, I gotta deal with the fact I have zero fucking money. It's fucking."
3:59 PM
"Never had to deal with all that shit. Not all at once. I never want to."
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"So you’re just hiding away from your problems? That won’t accomplish anything."
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"Yes! That's the whole fucking point, dude! I'm done having to accomplish shit."
4:09 PM
"Accomplishing stuff never did anybody any favors. Not really, anyway."
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"My whole life has been nothing but accomplishments. I assure you, it’s done me quite a few favours."
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Grobber shrugs. "Everything I've done, it's left me with nothing. It's left me here. And to be honest, all my accomplishments... they just feel like Reddit Gold. Who cares. I'm happy just existing."
4:14 PM
"Well, not happy, but.... who really is?"
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"…Reddit Gold? Is that some kind of scam?"
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"Yeah, it's a way that a bunch of rich fucking nerds turned gratification into a useless online commodity. It's like everything else in the real world, just a little more abstract."
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"…Oh. Then I don’t particularly care. But as I’ve said, you aren’t alive. This isn’t life. This is a slow, willing death."
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"And how exactly do you distinguish that from life? Is life when you get to be happy? Is life when you get to do all the things and win all the points? Is life when you meet some other useless third criteria?"
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"I told you… Life is when you suffer and… When you persevere. If you don’t live a life with difficulty, you’re not living at all. You’re just a shell."
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"I'm fucking TIRED!" He slams his fist on the table. "Of people telling me what is and what is not a life worth living. I want to live the life I want to live. I've got a good fucking thing going. Who are you to tell me that I don't?"
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"Someone with a good life. I may not seem like it, but I’m a mother. I have my caring and nurturing side. This isn’t meaningless criticism, I’m giving you a guide."
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Grobber's eyes twitch and he curls up his fists. "...I'm... okay... I am telling you... I'm okay..." (edited)
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She got up. "I'll see you later, Mr. Brentwood."
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He breathes out, and the tension in his arms releases. "Thanks for the visit. I'll... watch... Bob."
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"Thank you." She leaves.
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Grobber goes to the cafeteria.
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LM is sitting at a table. IO is standing on that table. Bob is near them.
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Grobber walks up to Bob's able and sits.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / nathan-smith
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He is searching
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Bob is outside the cell. A lot of people are gathering in the prison cafeteria.
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Bob takes a peek inside Grobbers cell. Is he doing anything
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He’s looking around.
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Bob goes up and eats breakfast.
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There’s a long line to get food. IO runs up to him. "Morning, TES! Today’s gonna be the best day of your life, I promise!"
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This weird amalgamation of Bob and Jackson gives a giant grin. "Morning. I'm sure it will be a SUS day today!"
2:56 PM
"Hey. Uh, its part of a bigger picture in my ideology or whatever, so could you just call me Jackson Day from now on?"
2:57 PM
Bob get foods. (edited)
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"Alright, JD it is!" They’re still in line for food.
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Bob is waiting for food. (edited)
3:04 PM
Bob talks to no one in particular but pretends that he's talking anything to IO. "So like you know. Before I got arrested an all, I used to like. Y'know, because I like burger king, go there and get the usual meal that I get. A burger, a drink, and some fries. One day, I check my fries and all that...."
3:04 PM
"Bro what the fuck is this guy doing who gets burger king these days 💀 "
3:05 PM
" 😰 "
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"I love Burger King! You can basically consider me the Ideology King! …But even better."
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"DIABETIC ANDY" a few more of bobs vision say this,
3:08 PM
"Alright, look. It's GOOD in moderation. Like I'm pretty sure if you at there like 3 times each day you would die of diabetic shock."
3:09 PM
"Anyways.... I check my fries, like I always do. I don't wanna get the wrong order, and...."
3:09 PM
"OH! ONION RING!"
3:15 PM
"There was an onion ring in my fries." (edited)
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"Haha-ha! Onion rings are great too!" IO.
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"What is this guy talking about"
3:19 PM
"Jerma when they get his order wrong: "HOLY SHIT!!!! I SCORED!"
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"When I ordered onion rings once, they gave me a normal fry in there. Pretty crazy, right? It’s like the exact opposite of your story! Our ideologies are so intertwined!"
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"To all those haters laughing out there, one day Im going to find a 24 Karat gold brick in the deep fryer. And I'm going to get rich and not give it to anyone. Just you wait."
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"That’s the spirit!"
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"Yes Jackson. Someone is going to drop their conspicuous 24 karat gold brick in the fucking deep fryer (?????)"
3:25 PM
"MR GREEN AS A BURGER KING WORKER"
3:25 PM
"MR. GREEN AS A BURGER KING WORKER"
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This man enters the line behind them. "...God fucking damn it. Not again."
3:28 PM
"CR!" IO. "That is not my name!" CR.
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"Is there something wrong?" I say this to CR. (edited)
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"My name is Clyde. Clyde Reaction. Like yours is Nathan and his is, supposedly, Ideology. Don't let the initials stick. They're incredibly stupid." CR. IO nervously laughs. "Wow, CR... What a funny joke!" "There was no joke made." Clyde.
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"Well, it's nice to meet you. Clyde Reaction... Reaction?"
3:32 PM
"Is that really a family name....?"
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"I'm not surprised a man named 'Smith' is unfamiliar with the concept of less traditional names. But yes, any word or series of sounds could have become a family name at some point during history. Nothing about this is particularly unusual. I assure you that even if you may not meet many men named 'Reaction' I remain a far more ideal and sane member of society than you or Ideology's previous guest will ever be. In fact, you may as well throw in the rest of TAP. All of you are plagues at an equal level." Clyde. "Haha-Ha... Well, we should probably delay this meeting for at leeeeast way later in the future!" IO. "If it was my choice, I would not be forced to be speaking with you all right now, either. You seem to have some method to always bother me, however." Clyde.
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"That's definitely not a real name. You're name is clyde!"
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IO whispers to Bob. "That’s the wrong form of 'your'."
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"Also I can assure you, I am PERFECTLY sane. There was some complication regarding my arrest. To put it bluntly, I was falsely accused." (edited)
3:41 PM
"What... were you two even arrested for?....."
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"Crime!" IO. "Has he really not told you? What a hypocrite." Clyde.
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Ehn/PC
"Crime!" IO. "Has he really not told you? What a hypocrite." Clyde.
"No."
3:43 PM
"To be honest I just assume he was imprisoned for y'know, petty crimes."
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"TAP is the cream of the criminal crop!" IO.
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"Oh yeah! I know why he got arrested! He's part of the Fungus."
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"No, TF is one of us… We’re TAP!" IO. Clyde sighs without responding. They arrived at the food now.
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Bob gets his food.
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IO gets his as well. "Follow me, I’ll introduce you to LM! You’ll love him, he’s so funny!"
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Does Clyde get his?
3:48 PM
Otherwise Bob follows
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Clyde gets his food and heads in an opposite direction.
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Bob follows.
3:49 PM
....IO.
3:52 PM
"Whos LM?"
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IO sits down in front of this man. "LM! Goooood morning!" "…Why is he here?" LM looks at Bob.
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"Definitely not anything I deserved. I got cucked by some lawyer named Naomi Kidink."
3:54 PM
Jerma picks his food with a spoon and immediately covers his hand so no one sees it. "HOLY SHIT GUYS! I JUST FOUND A BABY BIRD IN THERE!"
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"Is he… Somehow worse?" LM. "Worse than what? If you ask me, he's just hitting his stride! That’s the power of meeting the one and only Ideology Overdrive!" IO.
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Bob pretends to eat the bird when in actuality, he's eating his food. (edited)
3:56 PM
"Did I fucking get you?"
3:57 PM
3:57 PM
"What his name?" I point to LM.
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"Little Man. I used to be a pro boxer, until I got wrapped up in this sort of thing." LM. "The power of ideology brought us together away from that boring old life!" IO. "…How awful was your life for any of that to be an upgrade?" LM. "It’s a secret! But if you think about it, it just makes sense. Crime is basically the ultimate display of ideology. You’re who you are, regardless of consequence or laws! It’s like freedom, but for ideology!" IO.
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"Were you falsely accused too?" I ask LM.
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"No, I did the… crime. All of TAP did, though of course only 1 of us was stupid enough to get us caught." LM. "LC's ideology is so powerful, she was even able to defeat all of ours! Well, except for those 3 I guess." IO.
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Ehn/PC
"No, I did the… crime. All of TAP did, though of course only 1 of us was stupid enough to get us caught." LM. "LC's ideology is so powerful, she was even able to defeat all of ours! Well, except for those 3 I guess." IO.
"Well, I don't think its right to berate IO for a mistake they made. It's a criminal life, you know? Your life is always on the line for these kinds of things."
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"IO didn’t get us caught." LM.
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"That's honestly.... impressive."
4:09 PM
"Then who did?" (edited)
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"LC, I just told you!" IO.
4:09 PM
"She’s even less subtle than he is, somehow." LM.
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"Who is LC???!!!!!!"
4:10 PM
"How much L's are in your group?"
4:10 PM
"Just you." A few of his hallucinations omegalul (edited)
4:11 PM
Bob looks sad. (edited)
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"The group is me, LM, CR, SM, LC, RF, FB, DC, and EL! Though those last 3 aren’t in prison with us." IO. "He is not meeting her." LM.
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"You're being awfully rude to this LC guy. How would she react to what you are saying? I think she deserves a visit just like anyone else." (edited)
4:15 PM
"She deserves at LEAST a quick look."
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"Fact!" IO gives a thumbs up. "I’m serious, IO. You cannot make this guy part of TAP, and you especially cannot let him meet her. It’s one thing to add the fungus, but this is pushing it." LM. "Got it!" IO leans over to whisper something to Bob, but talks so loud it’s obviously audible to LM. "…You’re totally meeting her!"
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Ehn/PC
"The group is me, LM, CR, SM, LC, RF, FB, DC, and EL! Though those last 3 aren’t in prison with us." IO. "He is not meeting her." LM.
"....could you also please tell me the full names instead of the abbreviations? You're giving me vertigo. NO, I am not Vertigo Andy."
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Ehn/PC
"Fact!" IO gives a thumbs up. "I’m serious, IO. You cannot make this guy part of TAP, and you especially cannot let him meet her. It’s one thing to add the fungus, but this is pushing it." LM. "Got it!" IO leans over to whisper something to Bob, but talks so loud it’s obviously audible to LM. "…You’re totally meeting her!"
"Sounds like your the one to not accept change." I say this to LC. "Analyzing the others perspective is key to becoming a person with a good morale. I'm sure if you knew what it was like in my body, you would be fine with me being like this."
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"The initials are way better!" IO. "We don’t know everyone’s real names, anyway. It was kept secret, with some of us here in prison letting it slip. LC goes by Kyoko Kirigiri, even if that’s also an obvious pseudonym." LM.
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"So can I meet her?"
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"No." LM. IO stands up on the table and starts yelling. "I activate my Ideology Overdrive! You claim you don’t want JD to meet LC… And yet, since he’s now a member of TAP… This would violate your ideology of always doing everything for your allies! Haha-Ha! Ideology success!" "He’s not my ally, and he’s not part of TAP." LM.
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"Look. If your leader, which I assume its that Kyoko person approves of me being part of this group, it should be fine, right? Maybe if you understoof Kyoko more and was a LITTLE more like her, maybe I would believe you. But it seems that it's not the case. You're just some kind of... rebel!"
4:29 PM
"LITERALLY owned"
4:29 PM
":omegalul:"
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"There is no leader-" LM. "I’m the leader! Me! Me! Me!" IO.
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Ehn/PC
"There is no leader-" LM. "I’m the leader! Me! Me! Me!" IO.
"Is she really not... See? IO is letting me do this."
4:32 PM
"If I end up hating her, this is still your fault by the way. Like you could have gave me actual warnings or precautions. Trigger warnings even, instead of acting like an arse." (edited)
4:32 PM
"And you could also tell me why?"
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"IO, I understand that you just don’t think anything through. But what the hell do you think is going to happen if you put the 2 of them in a room together? You know she’ll tell him about that and you know this will all go to shit. I’m doing this to protect TAP." LM. "If TAP must die for unparalleled ideology, then so be it!" IO. "Stop being stupid!" LM. "Nuh-uh!" IO.
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"This needs a third party. Give me a moment."
4:35 PM
"Chat, what do you think of this situation?"
4:35 PM
Bob hallucinations making conflicting comments, are being derogatory to Bob.
4:35 PM
Bob just decides to sit next to CR.
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"What the hell is he doing?" LM. "I dunno, but isn’t it awesome?" IO. CR is gone.
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"You guys know where Clyde Reaction went?"
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"You already met him anyway! Come on, I'll show you someone waaay more cool than that wet blanket." IO.
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"I need to take the one that is the most normal. That's why I need a third party to confirm which one of you guys is right."
4:42 PM
"I don't want to disband a street gang. But I also don't want to leave it in the dust because one person disagreed with what IO is doing."
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"We're not just a street gang! We're The Advanced Participants, or TAP for short!" IO.
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"I'm pretty sure that if you got into something that ended up putting just about everyone in a prison, it's definitely some kind of gang."
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"It's more than that!" IO.
4:50 PM
Grobber walks in and sits at the table.
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Jackson Day BOT 6/24/2023 4:50 PM
((go here))
"TF! Good morning!" IO.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / bob-and-grobber
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"TF! Good morning!" IO.
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"Grobber. GROBBER! I need you for this."
4:50 PM
"Should I meet LC?"
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"Hey." He says to noone in particular.
4:51 PM
"No, you shouldn't meet LC." He chuckles. "If you do, you should pretend to forget her name. And then you should bring her to RF.""
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"RF?"
4:53 PM
"Has you meeting LC destroyed TAP?" I ask this to Grobber.
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LM facepalms. "LC and RF are really good friends, that's about it." IO.
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"It hasn't destroyed shit. TAP was over with as soon as they got here. That's the simple part of it."
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"Was anyone against your meetup?"
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"Uhh... no? They all kinda. Barged into my cell. Our cell, I guess."
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"Looks like they wanted you to meet her. So be it."
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"Ideology success!" IO.
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Grobber shrugs. "Well, I did. I guess I've met everyone now."
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So I guess Bob is going to visit her
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Grobber will trail along.
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IO leads them towards a staff only door.
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Grobber listlessly enters.
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((Is Bob also entering?))
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yes
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A guard looks at Bob suspiciously, but stops once they notice IO. IO passes the solitary confinement section. "Oh, SM's in there if you wanna meet them first. They're the coolest." (edited)
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Bob meets SM.
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IO shows him the specific cell. Inside is this person.
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Grobber waves at a cell as he follows IO.
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"Is that... blood on your face?"
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"...Maybe." SM.
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"What... does your name mean.....?"
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"That's going to stay ambiguous for now. You can just call me SM." "Aren't they the coolest?" IO.
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"Yeah." Bob goes to meet LC.
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Grobber follows Bob. "Seeya SM. Thanks for... the stuff." He waves to the same cell he waved to as he entered.
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"No stuff in particular! Just the general concept!" IO heads to the women's section of the prison.
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Bob heads with.
5:19 PM
Bob turns back to talk to SM for a second. "Stuff?"
5:19 PM
"I'm stuff"
5:19 PM
"I'm stuff"
5:19 PM
"I'm stuff"
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"Where are you going? This is very confusing!" IO. "Drugs." SM.
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"Is it okay if I have some?..."
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"No!" IO. "What kind? And... How will you pay me?" SM.
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"I don't have anything to give to you, sorry."
5:22 PM
Bob moves on to LC.
5:23 PM
"I was thinking, y'know. Drugs have to be flammable to get them to work right? They become a gas and then they need to be inhaled. So I was thinking, what if I made a huge explosion?"
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"Sounds great!" IO.
5:24 PM
They're in the women's section for real now. This woman approaches them. "...Bob? How the hell are you-?"
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"You're free to call me the "Sus guy."
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"Oh, shit. Do you two know each other?"
5:27 PM
"Wait, I haven't even met you. Man. Crazy."
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"Yeah. She'll break me out and eventually free me from whatever this is. Like she always does." (edited)
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"Considering he just got me arrested yesterday, yeah. My name is Sarah Stanley." She sighs. "I am not bailing you out! You're the one who keeps ruining my life." "...Who's she?" IO. (edited)
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"What did you even get arrested for, Bob?" (edited)
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Ehn/PC
"Considering he just got me arrested yesterday, yeah. My name is Sarah Stanley." She sighs. "I am not bailing you out! You're the one who keeps ruining my life." "...Who's she?" IO. (edited)
"She's probably the greatest doormat, like ever. She always comes back to me to save my ass. Considering she lived in that abusive household all those years, it's probably natural."
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"Fuck you!" Sarah. "A doormat? Wow... What a failure of ideology, huh?" IO.
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"Fucking gnarly dude, shit."
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The Fungus
"What did you even get arrested for, Bob?" (edited)
"Nothing typical. It was just some elaborate lie made up by a lawyer. Know a Naomi Kidink by any chance?"
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"Never heard of her."
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"Keep it that way." Sarah.
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"What did she make up about you?"
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"That I killed this dude named "Bob Smith."
5:32 PM
"I GUESS that's true. I did try to kill him a couple of times. Put him in his place."
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"...What do the police think your name is?"
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"No, the charge is that you blew up Kerloe Fishery. You're Bob Smith you stupid fucking lunatic!" Sarah. "Actually, he's JD." IO.
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"Right. I got that charge mixed up. YOU killed Bob, didn't you?"
5:34 PM
"I'm not sure on the specifics, but you're that cop killer, right? It makes sense that you would have disposed of him somehow."
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"I was accused of killing Jackson Day! And I'd never kill anyone, a mild gunshot at most! Are you just trying to piss me off?" Sarah.
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"So is Kidink the prosecutor that put you away?"
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Ehn/PC
"I was accused of killing Jackson Day! And I'd never kill anyone, a mild gunshot at most! Are you just trying to piss me off?" Sarah.
"What? Remember when you showed me Bob Smith's body? I asked for this to be a normal situation where I call the cops so he can get a good funeral."
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"No, he just keeps pretending to murder her son or whatever stupid thing pops into his head." Sarah.
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Bob Smith
"What? Remember when you showed me Bob Smith's body? I asked for this to be a normal situation where I call the cops so he can get a good funeral."
"What the fuck are you talking about? Locking me in prison wasn't enough, now you're trying to gaslight me?" Sarah.
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"Wait- so if she's not a prosecutor, how did she fuck you over?"
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"Legal connections or whatever. Nothing in this country runs the way it should." Sarah. "Because ideology reigns supreme!" IO. "I can't even understand what that guy is trying to say." Sarah.
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"He kinda just mirrors what other people say with the word ideology put in. The joke is that he doesn't actually care about anything."
5:40 PM
"Or, like- he's vaguely anti-establishment?"
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"Huh? What are you talking about, TF! I care about plenty of things, like Ideology!" IO. "…Great. Did the mental asylum run out of space?" Sarah.
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"Nah, that's where they send all the real criminals."
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Ehn/PC
"What the fuck are you talking about? Locking me in prison wasn't enough, now you're trying to gaslight me?" Sarah.
"That's just life, isn't it? Just a bunch of people tricking themselves into something their not. People are made up of the tiny experiences they make along the way. We're not complex people by any stretch, we only steal them by others because we don't want to be stepped on in a world full of big shoes. This was Bob's fatal mistake. To believe that we're people with all these underlying problems, and that by the end of it, there will be a heart of gold inside of it all. Bob believed that everything I said about myself about the "light at the end of the tunnel" was true. Realistically, this is just common knowledge that was ingrained all our minds. Heaven, regardless if you believe or not is a thing that exists inside of people. I just wanted Bob to die happy so I knew that someone could just blindly love me no matter what."
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"I hate you so much." Sarah. "Incredible ideology, JD!" IO.
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"How you liking the other folks in the prison, Sarah? A bunch of weirdos, right?"
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"Some girl just started ranting at me about herself for what felt like hours. Still better than Bob, probably." Sarah.
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"You stand against those words your brother, Harry Stanley has said. Yet you consider yourself as a person who treats everyone like a tool. If that's so why did you hug Bob when he died? You never loved him. As you see now, you think that I am Bob Smith instead of Jackson Day and you explicitly said you hated me. This is what you feel. You just feel what ever brings you at an advantage when opportunity strikes. You hugged Bob to make it like you loved her all this time."
5:52 PM
"Poooooogggg" (edited)
5:52 PM
"THIS SHIT IS PEAK"
5:52 PM
"GET HER ASS JACKSON"
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"I should've asked SM for some more shit..."
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"I just… I just felt jealous! Okay? I wanted what you had for a moment. Even if I know I have to be, it’s not like I want to be alone… No one does! You just… You just- Everyone is always coddling you, Bob! Are you blind? Are you stupid? For all the shit you give people, you’re alive and unharmed. Everyone just gets handed to you on a silver spoon… And- And I just wanted to know how that felt like, okay!?" Sarah. "This is the doomed fate of all ideologyless people…" IO. "Shut the fuck up! You don’t even know who I am!" Sarah.
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Grobber swallows. "Some people just get everything they need."
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Ehn/PC
"I just… I just felt jealous! Okay? I wanted what you had for a moment. Even if I know I have to be, it’s not like I want to be alone… No one does! You just… You just- Everyone is always coddling you, Bob! Are you blind? Are you stupid? For all the shit you give people, you’re alive and unharmed. Everyone just gets handed to you on a silver spoon… And- And I just wanted to know how that felt like, okay!?" Sarah. "This is the doomed fate of all ideologyless people…" IO. "Shut the fuck up! You don’t even know who I am!" Sarah.
"Then you have precisely proved my point. People are meant to be selfish. I applaud you for stealing whatever good fortune he probably never deserved."
6:01 PM
"You know my perspective precisely, so be the person you were meant to be, and stop calling me Bob Smith because that man died and deserved it." (edited)
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"You’re Bob Smith! Whether you like it or not, that’s who you are. You can’t change reality!" Sarah. "Ideology can overwrite reality itself! Shows what you know!" IO.
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Ehn/PC
"You’re Bob Smith! Whether you like it or not, that’s who you are. You can’t change reality!" Sarah. "Ideology can overwrite reality itself! Shows what you know!" IO.
"If Bob Smith really is my origin, do you want me to deadname you in front of this entire prison your real name is then, Samuel Stanley?"
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"…What?" Sarah. "I’m not trans, Bob."
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"Interesting..." He scoots in with IO.
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Ehn/PC
"…What?" Sarah. "I’m not trans, Bob."
"FUCK! so much for that."
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"And even if I was, why would my name be Samuel?" Sarah. (edited)
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"Well, I'm just going to tell all the trans people that-"
6:10 PM
"Wait. how does that factor into my ideology."
6:10 PM
"FUCK! No im not supposed to say this out loud."
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"Let it all out!" IO.
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"Fuck you! FUCK YOU! I'M JACKSON DAY FOR CHRISTS SAKE! I'M EVIL! I'M ONE NOTE! THIS IS THE PART WHERE I HAVE NOTHING!"
6:11 PM
Jackson Clutches his head. arrrggggg. ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!
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"Anybody have a soda?"
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"You don’t get to pretend you have nothing! The only things that have ever gone wrong around are your fault!" Sarah.
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"Sarah! We can go back! We can go back! We can go back home. I've learned my lesson. I understand peoples perspectives now. I want to change the world now."
6:13 PM
"STOP IT! STOP IT! YOU'RE DEAD! YOU DIED!"
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"Are you trying to mock me?" Sarah.
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"I understand that things went wrong, and that I've done bad things. But its not about thinking about the past, its about looking forward to the future."
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"Ugh! I’m so sick of you!" Sarah storms off.
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"Good simping bro. Sorry it didn't work out."
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"Wow, your ideology is so vast! I feel like I’m only starting to see your genius unfold!" IO.
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"THE PAST IS EVERYTHING! YOU CAN'T ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING IN LIFE IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THE MISTAKES YOU HAVE DONE WRONG!"
6:20 PM
"I may have never knew Jackson up close that was everything but the surface level, but that doesn't mean I should discard him entirely! Life is about taking the meaning from others, and spreading around to the people around you."
6:22 PM
"Bad things may have happened.... but that doesn't mean I can't learn from them, maybe bad things are supposed to happen. That's a way of life, and I can't get past it."
6:23 PM
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP! YOU'RE GOING TO DIE! MORE BAD THINGS WILL PILE ON AND ON IF YOU DON'T DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!"
6:24 PM
"SARAH PRECISELY SAID THAT EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU IS YOUR FAULT! SO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!"
6:25 PM
"Y-yes.... but........... that doesn't mean I can.......stop it with......friendship........"
6:26 PM
"Who was ever friends with you."
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"...Are you..." He looks around. "What is happening?"
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"His ideology’s entering into overdrive!" IO.
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"You didn't do this, did you?" (edited)
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"…How would I do that?"
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Grobber shrugs.
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"And who said that you're in control of your own mind? Ethfan scared you to bits, didn't he?"
6:29 PM
"....right. Staying at the top... it's just a delusion..... right? There really is no top."
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"I’m the top!"
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"The psyche has an infinite amount of bad and just a little bit of good. You keep digging for the former, and you'll keep finding it..."
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"Right. I attempted to stay on top, but I didn't do so well anyways. Pretending to be something your not doesn't... doesn't solve the problem."
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Grobber shakes his head. "But thinking about all that isn't worth it. Not anymore." He smiles.
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"Why aren't I happy then?"
6:34 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwYYoIgj6rw&t this tune plays in bob's head.
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"You're hungry. You're tired. You're upset you're in jail. You want something you don't have. That's the long and short of it."
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PERSPECTIVE SWITCH BEGIN.
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Right. Everything that i have done so far, most ended pretty badly. But why is it? Bad things that Happened
  • Jackson Day tried to kill me.
  • I met Ethfan and he tried to kill me.
  • Jackson tried killing me again.
  • I got caught into the Naomi business because I lost Sam.
  • Ethfan tried to kill me again.
  • Naomi took me to prison.
  • I tried to kill Carolyn and Ethfan tried to kill me again.
  • I got into trouble with Jeff Johnner and got arrested.
  • I lost Sarah Stanley.
Why Did these Happen?
  • I had a panic attack.
  • I attempted to kill Jackson because of my delusions that this was my destiny.
  • Sam got lost because I had another panic attack.
  • Ethfan tried to kill me because I thought I was his father.
  • Naomi took me to her house because I was imagine that I killed Sam Kidink.
  • I tried to kill Carolyn because I thought it would save the world.
  • I got arrested because I screamed at Naomi because I thought it was the right thing to do. Jeff was because I didn't stay in team nine, as well as listening to my own delusions.
  • Sarah Stanley was lost because I was playing as someone I was not.
How did these happen. This happens not because of a community thing, but because I thought them out to myself and believed they were right. The team nine incidents were because I believed in my panic attacks. Everything in the future was delusions of grandeur that I was going to be a good person and help out people. I even talked to myself multiple times and got myself in more trouble because of it. These were unfortunately, things I couldn't help. Believing in yourself is a good thing. But why was whenever that I did it, bad? That's right. Its because of something in my mind that turns these normal interactions into bad ones. I am mentally ill. I am mentally ill.
6:55 PM
Bob makes his final deduction. "I HAVE MENTAL ILLNESSES! DID! AUTISM! ADHD! PANIC DISORDER! SCHIZOPHRENIA!" Bob lists a bunch of other mental disorders he knows.
6:55 PM
"I have... I HAVE ALL OF THESE!!!!!"
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"You fool! They're called ideologies." Grobber hacks up some saliva and spits it on the ground.
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"Wow… So true!"
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"I am mentally ill! I never deserved a chance in life...... I am supposed to be put in a mental institution. This is why I'm supposed to be brought here!!!!"
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"Wow... less than one day..." He holds his head back and laughs. "This place is fuckin'. Brutal, man..."
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"Anyways, we should go see LC!"
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"Yeah."
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"HEH! HEH! HEH! HA! HA! HA! I'm infected! I'm infected!" (edited)
7:03 PM
Bob walks to see LC."
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IO brings them to a cell. These 2 women are arguing inside.
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"hee hee hee....... ha ha ha ha ha....."
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"Hey, RF! Hey, uh... Coda... Kyoshi?"
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"Ugh. Are you seriously going to bring new people here every day now?" Blond hair. "It’s a perfect opportunity to make an impact, but you’re too busy just being insufferable." Blue hair. "I’m just not wasting my time on things that don’t matter. My turn to be plot central is coming." Blond hair. (edited)
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"In jail?"
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"She thinks she could break out whenever. Though, obviously, she couldn’t. She’s just so stupid and narcissistic it’s insane. She should be talking about a real interesting topic. Like me." Blue hair.
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"Yeah! My favorite ladies. How was the cafe food today?"
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"Favourite ladies plural? Now, obviously I deserve the top spot, but I’m sharing it with her? I’m what world are we equal? I’m an incredibly interesting and memorable person while RF is essentially an aggressively uninteresting side character." Blue hair. "You’re literally obsessed with me and you keep acting like you hate me… Grow up and stop being such a pathetic fangirl." Presumably, RF. "Fangirl??? Are you insane, I hate you so much. The only person I’m obsessed with is me, I’m so tired of your stupid slander." Blue hair. IO suddenly runs in between them, forcing them away from each other. "Wow, what a great argument that wasn’t leading to anything in particular!"
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"Oh, I see! IO wants in on the fun now." He slowly nods up and down. "Smart."
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"Huh? What fun? The only fun I’m seeing is a fun ideological debate!" IO. "It wasn’t leading to anything." Blue hair. "Liar. You want me so bad it’s crazy." RF. "I’ve never said a single false thing about myself in my life." Blue hair. "That would ruin the point of making myself such an open book. Are you stupid?" "Are you stupid?" RF. "No. I’m not." Blue hair. (edited)
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"Am I stupid?" (edited)
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No one answers.
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"Heh, fair enough. Hey, do you two know what Clyde is saying about you?"
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"I don’t care. Clyde will have to learn to appreciate me when we talk. I’m not going to waste brain space on him, because my brain is only ever thinking about me." Blue hair.
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"lol this dynamic so hot"
7:23 PM
"preview"
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The blue haired girl turns to Bob. "Is that…?" IO makes a shushing motion. Blue haired girl approaches Bob and firmly plants her hands onto his shoulders, staring directly into his eyes. "My name is Kyoko Kirigiri. I created you." IO facepalms.
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"preview"
7:28 PM
"is this woman real" (edited)
7:28 PM
"or is this another hallucination"
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"Totally fake. Totally made up." IO. "She’s not real." RF. "I’m the realest person you will ever meet." Kyoko.
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"Well I have DID or some shit so i guess ill talk to her"
7:30 PM
"preview"
7:30 PM
"Its wasting no one's time"
7:30 PM
"But myself"
7:30 PM
Jackson turns to the delusion "You created me lol" (edited)
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"What the hell is preview?"
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"That’s not what DID is or does. Personally, I’m a single person but I have so much to say about myself I may as well be 20 people." Kyoko. "But yes, I did create you. I’m like your mother, but more interesting than whatever the biological one has going on." "I’m disowning him." RF.
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"fuckin"
7:33 PM
"who did you have sex with"
7:33 PM
"preview"
7:33 PM
"preview"
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The Fungus
"What the hell is preview?"
"It’s like… A thing he says when something funny happens. Real cool kids get it." IO utterly fails to replicate some kind of gang sign.
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"Did any of you create me?"
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Bob Smith
"who did you have sex with"
"I didn’t create you in that sense. I mean in a real sense, I created the personality that exists in your head and the face you wear. To answer the question in a literal sense though, my list of past sexual partners includes-" Kyoko. IO covers her mouth. "Nope, that’s enough!"
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"IO"
7:36 PM
"its part of her ideology"
7:36 PM
"preview"
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"You've had sex? No fuckin' way, dude. All you fucks are virgins." Grobber chuckles to himself.
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"i've had sex with myself"
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Ehn/PC
"I didn’t create you in that sense. I mean in a real sense, I created the personality that exists in your head and the face you wear. To answer the question in a literal sense though, my list of past sexual partners includes-" Kyoko. IO covers her mouth. "Nope, that’s enough!"
"do explain"
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"You’re one of TAP's last projects. We cut you up, erased everything… And then designed our own person to replace you with. I made you, Bob. Before me, there was only Nathan." Kyoko. "Well, I feel like… I feel like FB’s probably more responsible, but- That’s all besides the point because this is just a total fabrication, right JD?" IO.
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"tbh"
7:41 PM
"it was obvious i was artificial from the start"
7:41 PM
"preview"
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"Yeah-" He nudges Bob. "For the record, these bozos somehow have a hand in the events that started everything in the beginning."
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Ehn/PC
"You’re one of TAP's last projects. We cut you up, erased everything… And then designed our own person to replace you with. I made you, Bob. Before me, there was only Nathan." Kyoko. "Well, I feel like… I feel like FB’s probably more responsible, but- That’s all besides the point because this is just a total fabrication, right JD?" IO.
"so what about nathan"
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"I don’t care about him. He doesn’t matter. What matters is that I created you. And from now on, you can’t live a single moment of your life without thinking about me." Kyoko.
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"lol guess your my mom now"
7:44 PM
"You know a fb"
7:44 PM
"Whats he about"
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"Man... IO... is it usually this sad around here?"
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"Sad? Where are the sad people? I’ll cheer them up with the power of ideology!" IO. "I don’t care about FB. Also I’m not your mom, I’m your creator. Think of me as more divine, it fits my ego better and makes me feel happier. Since I created you, I think you owe me a lot here so you should listen to everything I have to say until you can only think about me." Kyoko. "Alternatively… You could also just think about ideology!" IO. "Everyone’s got a one note gimmick these days…" RF. "I have so many notes." Kyoko.
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"I'm mentally ill lol i kill people"
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"That’s basically what ideology’s all about!" IO.
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"Was.... was this all everything that my life led to....."
7:55 PM
"Everything that happened in my life, my quest for my identity.... only to realize that it all belonged to someone else..."
7:55 PM
"HEY! Don't talk to yourself like that, me!"
7:57 PM
"You're going to let this woman take control of your life? Our lives are worth more than the devotion of a singular person!"
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Kyoko smiles, watching this.
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"lol sorry i just have split personalities"
7:57 PM
"preview"
7:59 PM
"Fuck you. FUCK YOU! I'M NOT GOING TO LET SOMEONE BE BETTER THAN ME!" Jackson attempts to punch and knock down Kyoko.
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((Roll))
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"Daaamnn." He gets out of the way.
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((4))
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It misses. "I’m not very good at fighting, so that means you’re probably terrible at it." Kyoko. "I’m not helping you. This is what you get for constantly putting yourself out there." RF. "TF, go get LM!" IO.
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"DIE! DIE! DIE!" Jackson attempts to punch and knock down Kyoko.
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Grobber walks off casually to IO's cell.
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"FUCK! RESTRAIN HIM!" (edited)
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((Roll but also channel split))
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Jackson Day BOT 6/24/2023 8:08 PM
go here
((Roll but also channel split))
8:08 PM
go here
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / nathan-smith
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((20))
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Kyoko is knocked out. "Wow, well- Good job! You did it, TES- I mean JD!" IO awkwardly claps. "Pathetic loser." RF. (edited)
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Jackson punches Kyoko again.
8:12 PM
"GOD DAMNIT! HE'S GONE RABID!!!!"
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"I think she’s down, you made your point!" IO tries to stop him. ((Roll))
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((4))
8:14 PM
Bob runs off back to his cell
8:15 PM
"I didn't want this to happen.... I didn't want this to happen...."
8:16 PM
"GET BACK HERE AND LET ME FUCKING KILL HER!!!!" Jackson.
8:16 PM
"lol im such a loon"
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Bob makes it back to his cell.
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((im going to tennis ill be back in an hour))
8:20 PM
Bob ties his prison bedsheets around his neck.
8:24 PM
"This is the only way I can contribute to fixing this nonsense! I have to end all of this before I get dangerous!"
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Bob has created a cape.
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bob attempts to hang the blanket up in a high place. (edited)
9:21 PM
"Once I die.... Jackson will die and stop hurting people. I"ll stop hurting more people! Sarah needs to be free!"
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There are no high places.
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Bob clutches his hands around his throat.
9:23 PM
"go on"
9:23 PM
"kill me"
9:23 PM
"I deserve no mercy lol"
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Bob passes out. ((End session))
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((Saturday))
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Ideology and Grobber are talking in your cell. Grobber has taken your makeshift noose.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / grobber-brentwood
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Grobber walks back through the door, then goes to the gym.
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LM is practicing boxing on a punching bag.
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"Uhh... Bob Smith started... erm... fighting Kyoko. IO asked me to get you."
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"God dammit… Didn’t I warn them about that?" He starts taking off his boxing gloves. "Oh, and how are you? Since we fought and all that."
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"...I dunno. My cellmate messed me up some more last night. At some point it all blurs together."
8:15 PM
"...the stuff SM got me helps."
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"Try not to show it to IO. He acts like even more of a narc than the guards, sometimes." LM.
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"...yeah. I think now that Bob's here he's found himself a new fixation."
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He puts the gloves down. "Keep your head up. Things’ll get better." He rushes off to the women’s section.
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"Don't mess him up too bad! I'm supposed to be keeping an eye on him!"
8:20 PM
He hangs back, launching a single punch at the punching bag.
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((Roll))
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11.
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It's a decent punch.
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"Huh." He stands in minor awe of the physical force he exerted on the bag, before rushing back to the women's wing.
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Kyoko is knocked out, while LM, IO, and RF stand around. Bob isn't here. "He kinda ran away." IO shrugs. "I warned you and you didn't listen. Use your head. I shouldn't have to do it for you." LM. "I did use my head! I used it to be unabashedly me! That's the power of ideology!" IO.
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Grobber does a 😬 face. "Are we gonna... get in trouble?"
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"Meh, who cares?" IO. LM groans. "I hate being the only sensible person on this team. I barely get my own time, I'm so busy babysitting you." "SM's pretty sensible too!" IO. "In what world?" LM. "...At least it's nice to make Kyoko shut up for once, right?" RF. "Yeah." LM. "For sure!" IO.
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Grobber solemnly nods. "Dude... I gotta find Bob... if he gets into some shit..."
8:34 PM
"Nah, that won't happen."
8:34 PM
"Where'd he go?"
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"No clue! We'll have to use his ideology as a guide!" IO.
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"RF?"
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She doesn't acknowledge him.
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Is she taller or shorter than Grobber?
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Shorter.
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He approaches her and leans down. He talks in such a way that spit is hitting her face. "Do you want me out of your face? Point in which way Bob went. We'll all be outta here right then."
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She doesn't react.
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He spits in her mouth and stands up. "Fine. I'll find him." He walks off towards the men's wing.
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((Roll))
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17.
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((Give Sent a bit to catch up sorry))
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Bob is unconscious in their cell. He has clearly attempted to make a makeshift noose and failed.
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Grobber cuts down in the noose and sits down in the cell, watching Bob. (edited)
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He never managed to hang it up, it's just dangling from his neck.
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Oh. Wow.
9:28 PM
Well, he takes it off of Bob's neck.
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Bob continues to be unconscious.
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He stares at Bob and gives him a weary smile.
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IO walks into the cell. "Well, that seems like it went well!"
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"...Yeah."
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"What do you think of the newest member of TAP?"
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Grobber shrugs. "Pretty much the same as the rest of us."
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"Yes! Ideology success!"
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"Hope he mellows out soon..."
9:35 PM
"For his own sake, at least."
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"I hope not! You mellowed out way too quick yesterday."
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He shrugs. "First day of the rest of my life. If my luck holds out, it might be the last, too."
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"Why... Is that lucky?"
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"The rest of it... is just a slow, willing death. Might as well get it over with." He leans his head back.
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"Well... That's a pretty bad way to look at it. Don't you know that every day is a good day?"
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Grobber shrugs. "Feels like a lot of work to turn every day into a good day."
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"You've just gotta believe!"
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He leans his head back against the wall and closes his eyes.
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((End session))
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((Saturday))
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👍, can't do the week after btw
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Bob Smith wakes up.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / bob-and-grobber
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 2:11 PM
"...Bob." Grobber turns to Bob solmenly, an indescribable mix of downtrodden mourning and sheer tiredness on his face. "...You awake? I need you lucid for this."
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?????
3:23 PM
"....."
3:23 PM
"DO you need anything?"
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 3:24 PM
"This is pretty serious, man. Is your head on straight? I don't want you to freak out."
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"Morning, JD!" IO.
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"Did something happen?"
3:24 PM
"Did something happen"
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 3:24 PM
"Kyoko... she's dead, Jackson. You killed her."
3:25 PM
"She got a hemmorage on the back of her head when she fell and died on impact."
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"Huh!?" IO.
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"... Don't fuck with me...."
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 3:25 PM
"...You know what that looks like, right? You illegally entered into a part of the prison you weren't allowed in, and then killed a female inmate who was much smaller than you."
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((WAS THIS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN))
3:27 PM
"I don't think a single punch from me is enough for me to kill someone like that. I'm not that strong."
3:27 PM
"My.. my plans always fail!!! I'm not supposed to hurt people like that!"
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 3:28 PM
"You know a way out of this place? There are people looking for you, dude. Have you seen Little Man? He's pissed. Last time I saw him fight someone, they got taken away on a stretcher. His face looked like a banana someone had stepped on."
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"I'm... I;m not supposed to attack people on impulse!!!!" "No... no!!!!"
3:29 PM
"Fuckin"
3:30 PM
"You were planning to kill yourself"
3:30 PM
"right"
3:30 PM
"Preview"
3:30 PM
Bob? Jackson? rushes out to find LIttle Man. (edited)
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 3:30 PM
"A description of my demise as mere suicide is too pedestrian for my-"
3:30 PM
"Christ." Grobber sighs and follows Jackson.
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"I can kill him... I can kill him!!" Jackson.
3:32 PM
"Is it well known that Kyoko has died..?"
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 3:32 PM
"Heh, imagine ever being deluded enough to think that! Would take a profound kind of fool."
3:32 PM
"Well known? In the girls wing, probably."
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IO follows but still remains strangely quiet.
3:33 PM
((Roll to look for him ig))
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Bob turns to IO. "Please. PLEASE. Don't remember this. Remember the good times I had with you... please. Please remember the Bob that appreciated you you were!!!"
3:35 PM
((9))
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Bob can’t find Little Man.
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 3:38 PM
"The who that appreciated who we were? Bob? Who's that?"
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"Well, you know. I have DID....."
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 3:39 PM
"The ID? What ID? I didn't get one. Was the warden supposed to give me one when he took my blood sample for onboarding?"
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"Hey Bob, you know that I'm completely alive and well. This is all one huge prank for you to accept me again."
3:41 PM
"Right. Everyone deserves a second chance, right?.. I didn't kill her!"
3:42 PM
"No. Shut up! SHUT UP!"
3:42 PM
Bob searches for Little Man.
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 3:44 PM
"Time's running out, Bob... if you have anything you want to get off your chest before you die, I'm all ears."
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"You're nothing but a failure Bob. None of this should have happened if you just listsened to us."
3:46 PM
"We really only wanted to help you. Really, this entire bullshit could have been avoided if you just stayed at home."
3:46 PM
"I......I have no last words."
3:47 PM
Bob searches for little man.
3:47 PM
Bob tries to actually search if Kyoko is dead.
3:51 PM
Bob goes to the place where Kyoko died.
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 3:58 PM
"Your last act... to look at the victim. You're a sick bastard." He starts to chuckle. (edited)
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"I...... I...... hahaHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA!"
3:58 PM
"I am a sick bastard, aren't I?"
3:59 PM
"No, stop! He's....."
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Bob isn’t allowed into the women's section.
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 4:07 PM
"Oh that's unfortunate, Bob. It's alright anyway. She looked mostly peaceful, way too peaceful for my taste."
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Bob desperately searches for little man.
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((Roll))
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((13))
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 4:12 PM
"It's okay, Bob. I know you can take him. You'll beat the shit out of him and then get out of here. This little story will be all over and done with."
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You’re sure at this point that he’s not in this section of the prison.
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 4:12 PM
"Shame. Must be giving testimony on what you've done."
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"FUCK!!!!"
4:13 PM
"To the cafeteria." (edited)
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 4:13 PM
"I've seen him mad, but I haven't seen him that mad before,"
4:13 PM
"...We could always ask Clyde about it? I'm sure he would love you."
4:13 PM
Grobber follows Bob to the cafeteria.
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There’s no one in the cafeteria at this time.
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 4:14 PM
"Great plan! A secluded place where you can escape from. This was obviously your intention."
4:14 PM
"How astute, king."
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Bob searches for a knife.
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They only have the cheap plastic kind.
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Bob searches for his surroundings at the caferteria.
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It sure is a cafeteria.
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"PLEASE! GIVE ME SOMETHING! KILL ME!"
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 4:21 PM
"Are you sure you don't want to see Clyde? That could be fun!"
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"LITTLE MAN!!! WHERE THE FUCK AREYOU!!!"
4:21 PM
"...Is Clyde here?..."
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 4:22 PM
"I know where his cell is."
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"SHOW IT TO ME!"
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 4:22 PM
Grobber wears a glib grin as he leads Bob to Clyde's cell. "Yoo-hoo! Visitor!"
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Bob searches for a reaction.
4:26 PM
"..CLyde... I killed soimeone. Do you know where Little Man is?"
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Clyde is in his cell. "Oh, god… What now?"
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 4:29 PM
"I have a friend you would like!"
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"I have absolutely no interest in speaking to Nathan." Clyde. (edited)
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"Tell me where Little Man is! I... I need to see him!"
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"Why would I keep track of that?" Clyde.
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"I don't know!!! Where did you last see him?!!!"
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"I haven’t seen him. Why is this being made my problem?" Clyde.
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"Fuck you... just fuck you!!!!!!!" Bob runs off.
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 4:39 PM
"Because I made it your problem."
4:39 PM
Grobber follows him. "You got lucky~"
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"I'm going to fucking kill you one day for this." Jackson slams on Clyde's cell.
4:39 PM
Bob runs back into the caferteria where all the plasic knives were.
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 4:40 PM
Just assume Grobber is continuing to follow Bob.
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IO is also following. Clyde is ignoring everyone.
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"Nobody interrupt me."
4:47 PM
Bob shoves all the plastic knives down his throat to choke himself out.
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 4:48 PM
Grobber sits down and yawns. "Laaaaame."
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"Okay, stop it JD! This is an ideology failure!" IO tries to stop him.
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Bob kicks hjm away.
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((Roll))
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(915))
5:09 PM
((15))
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IO takes the knives from you. "Stop it! You’re supposed to engage in ideology, not whatever this is! Unleash your inner ideology, stop suppressing it!"
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"THIS IS MY IDEOLOGY!"
5:16 PM
"When mentally ill people like me end up doing something, bad, they will go to far. Which is why I have to stop it, to save society."
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"Bad things are good!"
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"I don't think bad things are good! That's my ideology!"
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"Oh yeah? What are they then!?"
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"WHY? WHY? DOESN'T THIS WORLD JUST LET ME KILL MYSELF ALREADY?!!!!"
5:26 PM
"I DESERVE TO DIE! I'M NOT GOOD AT ANYTHING!"
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 5:27 PM
"You sure were good at killing Kyoko. Only one punch..."
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"People aren’t born to die! I just lost LC, don’t make me lose you JD! You’re one of us! I don’t care what you’ve done, we’re all criminals! But I can’t let another ideology die out! You’ve gotta live! Live to the fullest! People were born to live life to the very end, and propel their ideologies to the peak!"
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"ALL I HAVE DONE FOR THIS ENTIRE TIME EVER SINCE I JOINED INTO THIS STUPID THING IS ACT INCOHERENT!!!"
5:30 PM
"this is why I have to talk like this"
5:30 PM
"preview"
5:30 PM
"This is why I have to change myself to look better."
5:31 PM
"This is why the people in my head have to talk to me."
5:33 PM
"I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING INTERESTING!!!! I'M JUST HERE BECAUSE SOMETHING MANDATES FOR ME TO EXIST!!!!"
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"That thing is the beautiful power of ideology!"
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"I HAVEN'T LEARNED ANYTHING FROM THIS EXPERIENCE!!!!!! EVERY THING I LEARN IS GONE!!!!!!! I CAN'T CHANGE!!!!!! ALL BECAUSE I'M INCOHERENT!!!!!!!!!!!"
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"You don’t have to change! You’ve just gotta live!"
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"SO LET ME DIE!!!!! LET ME DIE!!!!!!! ANYTHING I'M DOING CORRECTLY IS JUST SOME KIND OF LIE PEOPLE MADE UP ABOUT ME!!!!!!!!!!! SO I CAN LIVE IN THIS STUPID PLOT!!!!" (edited)
5:37 PM
"Nathan... that was real wasn't it. He was real. He actually touched peoples hearts and made things better. He made me actually interesting."
5:37 PM
"WHY CAN'T IT HAPPEN AGAIN!!! FB!!! THIS IS YOUR FAULT!!! THIS IS YOU FAULT!!! FUCK YOU!!! FUCK YOU!!!!!" Bob middle fingers the sky.
5:37 PM
"DROP ME OUT OF THIS! DROP ME OUT OF THIS!"
5:38 PM
"LET ME SEE HEAVEN AND LET ME LOOK AT ALL THE OTHER LIVES THAT WERE BETTER THAN MY PITIFUL EXISTENCE!!!!!!!"
5:38 PM
"Hav, Grobber, Sam...they fufilled something far better than I could...."
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 5:40 PM
"We have."
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"I don’t think… FB isn’t god or anything. He’s a human, which makes him even better! We may see things the exact opposite way, but we’re both people who believe in the power of ideology itself! Ideology Ooooooveeeeerdriiiiiiive!"
5:43 PM
Yes, I can comprehend dramatic irony as well. Though Bob Smith is more ideologically correct than IO, as intended, so this argument is rather inaccurate.
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 5:46 PM
"Are you going to swallow those knives or not? You're kind of just talking at the moment."
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Bob attempts to swallow the knives so he chokes.
5:49 PM
"AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
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"Stop eating knives!" IO responds by hitting Bob with the knife container, knocking him out.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / grobber-brentwood
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IO whispers to Grobber. "When did… She die?"
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 4:38 PM
Grobber sighs at IO. "Have you not unlocked the telling Bob Kyoko is dead ideology?"
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"I have collected every ideology."
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"Whoops- I didn't really think that one through." IO laughs awkwardly, before trying to pull knives out of Bob's throat.
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 5:58 PM
Grobber shrugs. "He keeps on doing the same thing over and over... imagine being stuck in a loop like that."
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"That's the power of ideology! I believe in the power of ideology every single day! You believe in the power of fungi every single day! The second we stray from that, we've ruined our ideologies!"
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 6:01 PM
"Fungus? Nah, I've left that life behind me. You see the bricks that make up these walls? They're solid, and the cracks are filled with mortar. Nothing can grow here, IO. No irritating plant, no rabid animal, no dismal fungus." (edited)
6:04 PM
"The Fungus comes about from people's choices. No gods exist in a world without people, after all. And here, there is no need for god, including the Fungus. These walls are our gods now- they give us purpose, tell us how to live, when to eat, and when to bed. There is no worshipping anything else. It's perfect."
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"Even now... I believe in the power of the human spirit!" IO lifts Bob up with difficulty.
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 6:16 PM
Grobber moves over and helps IO with Bob. "Look upon him who does not waver from his cause, no matter how insipid and ultimately irrelevant, and you shall find in him the meaning of dull-witted. An ant could fulfill impossible tasks endlessly for its queen, and yet no matter how much I've looked into ones eyes, I have found nothing there behind them."
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"Tch..." IO smirks like Grobber's said something stupid. "That's because the ideology isn't stored in the eyes, is it?"
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The Fungus 7/1/2023 6:24 PM
"...Well, then I suppose you wouldn't be interested in what I see in yours."
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"If I had to guess... I'd say a reddish orange! Haha-Ha!"
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((No session))
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The Fungus
Grobber sighs at IO. "Have you not unlocked the telling Bob Kyoko is dead ideology?"
((YOU SON OF A BITCH))
7:22 PM
((Well, IO is a son of a bitch))
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((Why are you reading out of order!!!!!))
7:22 PM
((The surprise would’ve been funnier))
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((Sorry!!!! I knew something was off about that anyways))
7:27 PM
((Seeing the bizarre shit people are doing when I fall unconscious for whatever reason Is going to be so good)) (edited)
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((Saturday))
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"If I had to guess... I'd say a reddish orange! Haha-Ha!"
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"Hhhhaaaagh....." Grobber sighs as he sits down on the bench in his cell.
2:22 PM
"Sure. That works."
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IO leaves to drag Bob off to the infirmary.
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Grobber rests his chin on his hands. "Never even got to get the payoff... I guess I'll tell him later."
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LM walks into his cell. "…Hey."
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Grobber turns his head up, looking him in the face. "Hey."
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"Where’s Nathan?"
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"Went to the infirmary. He was trying to kill himself swallowing on pens. IO took him."
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"…Of course." He sighs. "At least that’s dealt with."
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"Was he always like this?"
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"IO?"
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"Nathan."
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"I wouldn’t know."
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"Hm." He rubs at his swollen eyes. "I don't know if I'm even getting an intentional dripfeed at this point."
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"You don’t want to get involved with that stuff, trust me."
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"What would they do? Put me in super-jail?"
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"This isn’t exactly government stuff."
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"I'm shocked."
2:43 PM
He leans back, chewing on a piece of lip. "They're trying to pull me back out. I don't want to leave."
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"You have an out and you want to stay here?"
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"I don't have much out there, man. It's... I'm happy in here, and the world is better with me in here than me outside."
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He sits down across from Grobber. "I get you there at least. Outside, I’ve got no one."
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His eye twitches. "It would be easy to get out. They don't have eyes on us. They're not careful. But I think all of us know that this is where we belong."
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"No. I know for a fact most of them want to escape. They’re just waiting for an excuse. Probably not even the same excuse. But when your goals are as vague and insane as 'killing god' it’s hard for me to guess."
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Grobber shakes his head. "Some people don't know what they have, I guess."
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"Or maybe we just don’t all want the same things."
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"...Yeah. Just animals. There's only so many bananas... we all just want as many pieces as possible."
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"I don’t particularly like bananas."
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"We've all got our shit, like, our vices, dude. We can pretend to be in 'control' of them but that's just denial. There's only so much good in the world."
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"I don’t really think there’s such a thing as good or evil. I’ve just got people I care for. That’s all I’m on this earth for."
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"Yeah, well... everybody goes, for one reason or another. I hope you manage to find a way out of here before they all leave you."
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"I’m planning to stick it out to the end. I’m not too impatient."
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"Then you'll be left alone, and once you are, you'll have nobody to see you go."
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"Is that supposed to scare me?"
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"Wasn't meant for you at all." He looks back down.
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"Do you think you’ve got no one?"
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"...I've got people, but they're not 'people.' We're vengeful spirits of the undead. Just ghosts. We can't barely touch or see anything anymore. Just waiting."
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"No family? Friends? Who was trying to drag you out of here then?"
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"A lawyer, paying me crumbs to keep an eye on... 'Nathan." My freedom is worth that little."
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"A lawyer's got his eye on him?"
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"Naomi Kidink. Pretty good, apparently."
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"Ah, her."
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"She seems to be obsessed with getting me out so I can suffer. Not the best pitch, if I'm honest."
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"People who have everything never seem to get those who don’t."
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"Yeah, well, we're all people at the end of the day. Funny how we can still manage to all have our shitty struggles."
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"Life’s weird like that, I suppose."
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"Yeah, well. Don't have to think about it, that's the benefit we have."
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"…Wanna go for another match? Boxing?"
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Grobber casts an errant glance at LM. "Sure."
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LM heads to the gym.
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Grobber follows him.
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He starts putting on boxing gloves, and tosses a pair to Grobber.
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Grobber attempts to put them on.
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"Show me your stance."
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Grobber backs up from LM a little bit, putting his hands in front of his face, peeking his two eyes out above.
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((FUCK sorry))
5:51 PM
LM gets into position. "Hit me."
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Grobber throws a punch at him.
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((Roll))
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13.
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"Decent punch, but try to put your whole body behind it."
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"H-h-yeah..." He nods.
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"Like this." LM hits Grobber really hard.
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"Gu-guh!" His whole weight is knocked back, and he takes a moment to breathe, before rearing up for another punch and launching it at LM.
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((Roll))
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5.
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Kind of a weak punch. "Try again." LM punches Grobber again.
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Grobber leans back, baring his teeth into a fiendish grin before punching LM.
6:06 PM
6.
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Slightly stronger, but still weak. "Again." He punches Grobber.
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Grobber spits on the ground, takes a moment to look at LM, trying to see something, before his eyes twist in anger and he punches him again.
6:20 PM
20
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LM is hit hard enough to fall over onto the floor from the punch. "Ugh!"
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Grobber immediately rushes forward and leans on him, punching him again.
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((Roll))
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18.
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Grobber hits him, hard. "Good hits." LM.
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Grobber hits him again. "YEAH! I'VE GOT YOU NOW!"
6:38 PM
18.
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As Grobber keeps hitting him, LM kicks his legs out from under him, causing Grobber to fall over as well.
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"Doesn't matter! D-doesn't even matter!"
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"You're good. I'm impressed." He sits up.
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Grobber is about to hit him again, before he sighs, and catches his breath before sitting up.
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He holds his arm out for a fist bump.
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Grobber gives him a fist bump, and smiles.
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"Before I met TAP, it was just me and my old man. Now I've got everything I could need. Funny how things change, huh?"
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Grobber leans back. "Yeah... life is strong, and complicated. You can't swim against that kind of current. Maybe if we just let it take us where it wants, we can find out how to be happy there."
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"...Funny. I knew a guy who thought like that, and he made it sound much worse."
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"The human mind has always been designed to be good at tricking human minds."
7:34 PM
"You can make the same thing sound completely different, and it won't even be a lie."
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"Is that so?"
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"Definitely. Especially because people want to trust each other."
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"Do you think there’s someone out there who agrees with IO on everything, but makes it sound normal?"
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"Yeah, for sure. People nowadays are so cynical, and everybody is just trying to survive. It's refreshing to see someone believe in something, and supporting a cause feels good."
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"Not a bad attempt."
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"I've yet to meet anyone as fanatical in... anything as IO is. Weird kid."
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"EL's pretty fanatical too, but instead of believing in anything she’s just obsessed with being evil."
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"Yeah, FB, DC, and her are still out there. Interesting."
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"DC's nothing too noteworthy. FB's like you, kind of. Except instead of doing surgery, you take drugs all day."
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"It's a living."
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"Sort of."
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"Well," He smiles. "It doesn't have to be anymore."
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"Have you ever had a job?"
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"..." He's silent for a while.
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"Too direct?"
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"After my parents passed, my friends and I went to this apartment. There were a bunch of us. Too many for the house, but still not a ton, you know? Well, we would all get together and we would have sex. A bunch of sex. It was this disgusting, orgy house. We were constantly hopped up. It was insane." He swallows. "We had this one girl who could do web design. We made a bunch of webpages, pretending to be local joints. It was all fabricated. But, we hosted it off of this server. Well, when people would order, we would send it in to the real place's webpage. But we overcharged everyone by a couple bucks. We probably spent like a thousand bucks up front to promote it to the top of google, but we made thousands. Except eventually, that girl, Ophelia, left. Then things all dispersed."
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((I'm so good at this))
9:34 PM
"...I guess that's kind of like a job."
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"It was something, I guess. There's people doing worse shit for more money in the country."
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"Not like us TAP members could disagree with you there."
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"What does TAP stand for, anyway?"
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"The Advanced Participants."
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"Did you know all of them before the project?"
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"No. That's where we met."
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"So what brought you to it? You don't seem so invested anymore."
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"They wanted to ensure security. I didn't have much work after my career ended. It worked out."
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"..." He sighs. "You think you'll ever get out of here?"
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"Don't really see the point."
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"....Yeah, because you got your people, and your art, right here."
10:16 PM
"Me too, man. Me too."
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"If the guys on the outside need me, maybe I will. But while I’ve got people on the inside, an escape simply isn’t worth the risk." LM. "Are you saying you actively want to be in prison?" Clyde walked into the gym.
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"Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Hey Clyde."
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"Hmph. I can respect that, I suppose. Wilful self-quarantine. Let the normal people be free of you." Clyde. (edited)
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"...Normal. And I guess that means you want out?"
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"Of course. Unfortunately, I won’t be eligible for parole. But I intend to return to the honest and simple life as quickly as possible." Clyde. "You really think anyone will want to hire you with your criminal record?" LM. "A minor setback. I’m a normal man. They’ll realize this quickly enough, and move past that." Clyde.
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"What were you convicted of, Clyde?"
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"Conspiracy to commit a dozen or so crimes, like kidnapping and so on. I don’t personally care much to remember the charges, but I was the most innocent party in all of them." Clyde. "You voluntarily joined TAP. Stop trying to pretend you’re better than us." LM. "Yes, that’s correct. I volunteered. Instead of letting stupid and petty personal goals control me, I approached life with an objective gaze and determined that the optimal path was to join your gang of lunatics. An error I now deeply regret, and have committed my life to fixing." Clyde.
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"Well, I'm sure that sentiment will help you wherever you end up." Grobber smiles at Clyde.
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"I don’t want your approval." Clyde. "Then why did you come bother us." LM. "I want to exercise in peace, so I came to tell you to get out of here. Is that simple enough?" Clyde.
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"You didn't seem to have a problem voluntarily joining our conversation earlier." Grobber chuckles a little bit.
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"That was because I possess social skills, unlike you 2. I understood how a conversation should properly flow. I would never compromise the principles of normality in order to accomplish something so short term." Clyde.
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"The principles of normality... can you lay down a few others for us?"
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"They’re not worthy of the mentally ill, and they’re based in unarguable and easily intuitive common sense. If you deserved to know them, you would know them." Clyde.
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"Maybe I wasn't asking for me!" His chuckles turn into full laughter.
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"Well, then I’ll give you another principle. Avoid all illnesses, even mental. They spread like a plague and infect the sane, destroying them with their personal insanity. If your friend wishes to be normal, I recommend they stay far away from you." Clyde. "I feel pretty sane, Clyde, and I hang around IO all year long." LM. "You’re a violent man obsessed with protecting dangerous parasites. If I had to guess, narcissistic personality disorder, sociopathy, and psychopathy are likely diseases as well. Some kind of attachment disorder, perhaps?" Clyde.
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"And do these diseased people... are they able to tell that they're diseased?"
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"I wouldn’t know. I’m not a psychologist." Clyde. "You draw the line there?" LM.
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"You know, I feel like if diseased people knew they were diseased, they would try to aright themselves. I'd reckon that the worst of them, they have no clue they've fallen into their illness. You agree?"
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"Potentially." Clyde.
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"And you know what? I'd say, that if you get it really, really bad, your whole world becomes askew. You lose touch with the people around you. And then... you're so far off the norm, you start to see everybody around you as off balance. Your frame of reference becomes so offbase everyone else seems like they're already down the rabbit hole."
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"Are you trying to imply that I’m more mentally ill than you are?" Clyde.
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"I don't know about mentally ill, but I don't know, you're definitely in denial."
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"It’s nothing so complex. I just value normalcy, and the abnormal crowd has locked me in jail for it." Clyde.
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"You're in jail for valuing normalcy?
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"Kyoko mentioned him in those files because he kept harassing her." LM. "She kept harassing me. Do not misattribute fault. Do you seriously believe it’s physically possible for a situation to arise where 'Kyoko' is involuntarily in a conversation?" Clyde.
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"Ah, what a shame. Well, it's not like there was anybody less normal than you that got left out of all this..." He gives a wry smile to Clyde.
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"Correct." Clyde.
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"What meal will you get when you get out of jail, Clyde?"
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"I don’t want to engage in small talk with you. Please get out of my way." Clyde. (edited)
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"Didn't stop you already!" Grobber gets out of the way. "There was something I wanted to do solo anyway."
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"Good luck on that, then." LM walks out.
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Grobber attempts to go to solitary confinement.
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He’s let in.
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Grobber walks up to Ed Blythe and sits down.
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He doesn’t react.
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"Can I tell you a story, pal?"
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No response.
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"Well, I have this friend, right?"
11:45 PM
"And my friend, well, she has another friend. They're obsessed with each other. In love."
11:45 PM
"And I've seen it, they love each other very much."
11:46 PM
"Let's call my friend 'Jill' and her friend 'Morgan.'"
11:46 PM
"But Jill, you know, she wants to take care of her own happiness. Good for her! She's taking responsibility."
11:46 PM
"Jill finds another person, that she PAYS MONEY to give her advice. To give her counsel- to make her happier, you know?"
11:48 PM
"Well, this other person, she starts to tell Jill really mean, awful things. Terrible things. And Jill, she starts to get sadder."
11:49 PM
"You know, things are still alright, at least she has Morgan, but this other person seems to take pleasure in torturing Jill. Tormenting her, even. Saying one thing one week, saying another thing the next."
11:49 PM
"Keeping her on the line just enough to see her a little happier... then sweeping out the rug."
11:49 PM
"And eventually, Jill can't take it. Morgan hates seeing her so sad."
11:50 PM
"Well, then you know what happens?"
11:50 PM
"Morgan gets murdered. Ice cold. In her home. Nothing is taken."
11:51 PM
"But you know what's funny? The other person, the one supposed to be helping Jill, she seems to know too much. She's associated with people connected to the crime scene. She knows shit."
11:51 PM
"And now, I've seen Jill. She's miserable. On the verge of suicide, or hurting others."
11:51 PM
"She could've been happy. I couldv'e seen her be happy."
11:52 PM
"Do you have any clue what this other person's name is, Mr.?"
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He doesn’t answer.
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"It's Carolyn Blythe. You know a Carolyn Blythe?"
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"No." He simply responds.
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"Are you Ed Blythe?"
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"I am. And she’s my daughter. But no… She’s not your other person."
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"Gotcha, okay. Well, just to clarify, the person I'm speaking of wears a pink sweater and glasses, is a therapist, and works at (He repeats her office's address.)"
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"My daughter has many, many, faults… But she doesn’t hurt people like that. She fixes them. …Even when she shouldn’t."
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"Fixing them to what end? What does it mean when someone is 'fixed'?"
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He doesn’t answer.
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"Does your daughter not agree with your ideals? Is she a member of Edlightenment?"
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Still silence.
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"It's a shame. Well, when I see her, I'll let her know that her father holds her actions in such poor regard that he simply refused to believe it. Have any other message you'd like me to pass along?"
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"Keep yourself safe from her."
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Grobber gulps. "Y-yes sir."
12:11 AM
He walks out, visibly shaken, then goes to the infirmary.
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Bob and Kyoko are both in beds, passed out. Bob has been handcuffed to his bed.
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Grobber looks at Bob, nodding.
12:14 AM
Does Kyoko look too bad?
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She looks fine.
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Grobber tries to wake Bob up.
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((End session))
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((Saturday, unless BanzaiAlex hasn’t caught up by then))
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((banzaialex has to come to this session please...))
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((Cancelling the session because Alex will not catch up in time))
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ok. i cannot do the session in 10 days
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((im going to collapse this campaign))
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((It gives you more time to catch up on your reading…))
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((No session this week))
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((Saturday))
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Bob wakes up.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / nathan-smith
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Bob wakes up in the prison room infirmary, handcuffed to the bed. Grobber is trying to wake him up. There’s another person in another infirmary bed, but Bob can’t quite get a good look at who it is yet. (( #bob-and-grobber ))
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"Who's on the other bed worst mystery ever!!!" (edited)
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Spetator BOT 8/5/2023 2:32 PM
go here
Grobber watches over Bob.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / bob-and-grobber
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 2:15 PM
Grobber watches over Bob.
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"Need knives now!"
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 2:17 PM
"...Hey Bob, look over there." Grobber gestures towards Kyoko.
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Bob looks where he is told to look hoping it will provide a way to kill himself. (edited)
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The person in the other bed is Kyoko, alive and well. She’s still unconscious.
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"Worst mystery ever solved but doesn't matter when I need to kill myself!"
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 2:22 PM
"Bob, you're doing a really bad job at faking mental illness."
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"another reason to kill myself preview!"
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 2:28 PM
"Hahah! The machinations of the deceiver have bespoiled the puny mind of the frivolous! Even after the schemes have been revealed, those with a broken mind retain it. Truly pathetic. This is not your punishment for attacking me, no: this is your punishment for leaving me alive."
2:28 PM
"Sometimes my power frightens even me."
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Bob tries to kill himself by slamming his head against the wall which obviously doesn't work.
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 2:40 PM
Grobber watches with a glib grin on his face.
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Bob eventually collapses because this eventually tires him out.
2:47 PM
"Shit couldn't kill myself!"
2:52 PM
Bob tries waking up Kyoko.
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Bob is restrained in the bed and cannot move.
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"Wake up now!"
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 3:08 PM
Grobber smiles at Bob. "I'm already awake!"
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"I wasnt talking to you!"
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 3:12 PM
"I'm sorry."
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Bob keeps yelling to try to wake Kyoko up.
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"…Huh?" Kyoko slowly wakes up.
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 3:16 PM
"Kyoko, be careful! RF is right outside looking for you!"
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"Did you really have to distract me from my dream because of her?" She gets off the bed. "I was dreaming about a world where everything single person was me. Of course they started stealing my spotlight, so I had to kill them all."
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"I woke you up because I wanted to apologize for being a worthless assaulter! Preview"
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"Apology refused! You’ll have to spend the rest of your life worshipping me to make up for it."
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 3:22 PM
"Bob, stop trying so hard dude, I know what you told me before, but she's a lost cause, she'll never like you like that."
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"Top 10 things to do 10 worship 9 worship 1057864: worship Preview"
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"Clearly he’s just overwhelmed with information about me. A lot of people are, but I keep going." Kyoko.
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 3:32 PM
"Ah, what another perfect day in Shelk Prison."
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"I have things to get back to. If you want more from me you should follow me right now. I have a lot to say." Kyoko leaves.
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Bob is stuck to the bed so he does not leave.
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 3:41 PM
Grobber looks at Bob. "Don't go anywhere!" He follows Kyoko.
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((you should roll to break out))
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Bob tries to break out.
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((Roll))
3:47 PM
((Split channel though))
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((What do I type to role in that channel?)) (edited)
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(( /r and click on the thing. It’s 1d20))
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Spetator BOT 8/5/2023 3:49 PM
go here
Bob is alone again.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / nathan-smith
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Bob is alone again.
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((It keeps failing when I try to roll))
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Bob Smith
((It keeps failing when I try to roll))
its /r d20
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((20))
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((Is this a success or a fail?))
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((the highest is 20 so success)
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Bob breaks free easily.
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Bob leaves.
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He’s in the staff section of the prison. ((Where is he headed? There’s the men's section, the women's section, and solitary confinement.))
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Bob intends to look in every section but he starts with the women's section.
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Grobber and Kyoko are talking in the corridor on the way to the women’s section.
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Bob remembers he was told not to follow them so he barely resists the urge to yell then he listens while hiding from sight. (edited)
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"I’m unforgettable." Kyoko says this.
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"I agree!"
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This obviously makes them notice him.
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Bob gets out of the hiding spot. (edited)
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / grobber-brentwood
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Kyoko walks to the female ward.
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 3:51 PM
"I have really bad news about what happened while you were out. Little Man DIED!"
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She doesn’t react and keeps walking.
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 3:55 PM
"And SM EXPLODED! And everybody decided they like CLYDE more than YOU!"
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She stops and slowly turns around. "…Clyde!?"
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 4:01 PM
"Yeah! Clyde! They said they were taken by his beauty."
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"What kind of loser is attracted to men? Obviously they should focus on very attractive beauties like me or RF. But mostly me." Kyoko.
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 4:05 PM
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Kyoko. If there's anything I can do or say at this instant that could help you I will. I guess gay guys are just in fashion at the moment."
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"Fashion is temporary. I am forever, you know?"
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 4:07 PM
"When your flesh is gone, how will you make them remember your name?"
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"I’m unforgettable."
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 4:15 PM
"Of course, of course! Absolutely so, Kyoko. But, just a little problem. Outside of the jail, neither me nor any of my friends have heard of you. You've got to do some work. Spread your influence far and wide so more people know your name."
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Ehn/PC
"I’m unforgettable."
"I agree!" Bob yells out.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / bob-and-grobber
Avatar
The Fungus 8/5/2023 4:18 PM
"Of course, of course! Absolutely so, Kyoko. But, just a little problem. Outside of the jail, neither me nor any of my friends have heard of you. You've got to do some work. Spread your influence far and wide so more people know your name."
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"And how would you suggest that?"
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 4:19 PM
"You ever heard of Twitter?"
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"If I haven’t heard of it it obviously doesn’t matter."
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 4:22 PM
"See, Kyoko, take it from someone who built a movement. If you wanna sway people, you can't, like, expect them to get it, you know? Not everybody has the taste or eye to see the good stuff. If you really want to build a following, you gonna lean down a little, translate the pure message into something a little easier for the common folk to understand."
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"Would an ancient one translate herself in order to make mortals tremble? I’m like that, but more interesting. And cuter. And funnier. And more intelligent." She keeps listing off things like this until she’s interrupted.
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 4:25 PM
"You ever heard of God? He felt the need to translate himself, wrote like twenty whole book sof translations."
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"There is no god. There is only me. The only people delusional enough to believe otherwise are freaks like RF."
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 4:30 PM
"Well, that's a shame. I guess I'll just have to find someone else to help spread their influence and make people become just that little bit more obsessed with them. Hm. Maybe Clyde will be down?"
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"No one will ever care about Clyde. I’m much more memorable."
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 4:38 PM
Grobber shrugs.
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"…What are you asking me to do?"
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 4:44 PM
"Who, me? I wasn't asking you to do anything. It's not like you're interested, anyway. I'm very sorry for wasting your time."
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"You better be." She leaves.
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 4:47 PM
Grobber looks at her with his signature, dopey-looking smile.
4:47 PM
"Aahhh....."
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Bob attempts to leave this area as there's nothing else of interest here.
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((Where is he headed?))
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Bob heads to the men's section.
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 4:52 PM
Grobber follows Bob.
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IO is there. "Hey, JD! You feeling better!?"
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"Decided not to kill myself must leave now!"
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"Yeah! That’s the power of ideology!"
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"Ideology is existence preview!:
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"Damn right it is!"
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 5:11 PM
"Wow. People are amazing, huh."
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"Mr Brentwood?" A guard approached.
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 5:15 PM
"Yes sir?"
5:15 PM
"Ha-ha, just kidding. What's up?"
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"You’re free to go." The guard. "Huh?" IO.
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 5:19 PM
"?"
5:19 PM
"E-excuse me?"
5:20 PM
"H-ehheh... no..."
5:20 PM
"No it could be... Bob, right?"
5:20 PM
"Bob's free to go?"
5:21 PM
"I'm... I'm The Fungus! You gotta... you gotta have me put away forever!"
5:21 PM
"You know what I did? It was terrible!"
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"A friend of yours paid your bail. You’re free until your trial." The guard.
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 5:23 PM
"A f-friend? Who? Exactly?"
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"He didn’t say. But he’s waiting for you in front if you want to talk to him." The guard.
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 5:26 PM
Grobber's eye twitches. "Can I stay?"
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"You want to refuse your bail?" The guard.
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 5:28 PM
"I mean- it's pretty nice, here, man. I don't know what I have left out there."
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"Can you at least discuss this with that friend of yours? I’m just a guard." The guard. "By the power of ideology, even you can fix this!" IO. "No, I can’t." The guard.
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 5:33 PM
Grobber sighs, then leaves to the front of the prison.
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((Channel split))
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((Does this mean I switch channels))
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((yeah))
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((Yeah))
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Spetator BOT 8/5/2023 5:43 PM
"I can leave?!"
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / nathan-smith
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"I can leave?!"
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"Not you." The guard. "You can with the power of ideology!" IO. "No." The guard.
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"How do I utilize the power of ideology!"
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"The mere question is proof of the sheer power of ideology!" IO takes a silly stance. "Ideology… Overdrive!!!"
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Bob attempts to run past the guard.
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This succeeds. The guard isn’t stopping him.
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Bob decides to try to escape the building.
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He’s immediately tackled by 10 different guards once he gets too close.
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"I must escape through the power of ideology!"
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Bob is dragged back into the men's section. "Hm… Maybe you need more planning with your ideology." IO.
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Bob runs again and threatens to kill himself if the guards don't let him pass.
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He’s stopped again. "Bob, stop it!" Sarah's voice calls out to him.
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"I will just hurt you again!"
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"And this is somehow better than that?" She approaches him.
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"You're unhealthy attached to me! I'm nowhere near good enough to substitute as a brother!"
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"What? Who- What are you talking about?" She suddenly becomes very embarrassed. "I already have 2 brothers and I hate them. Last thing I need is a lunatic for a 3rd."
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"I'm just like everyone else in your family!"
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"Yeah, no shit." She sighs. "Just calm down. You’re afraid of hurting me? Too bad. You already have. Now stop acting like a child and actually face that."
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"If I don't kill myself I'll hurt you more!"
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"You already have hurt me, you idiot! And you just keep running away from that! What, do you think I’m magically gonna improve in the prison you stuck me in?"
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"I don't know maybe things would improve if I was dead!"
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"No they won’t! Life isn’t magic? If you want things to improve, improve them yourself."
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"I'll improve things by getting rid of the root of your problems!"
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"You’re not the root of my problems, you narcissist!"
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"I don't think you know what a narcissist is!"
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"Yeah, I do! You just constantly pretend you’re the center of the universe when you’re just some delusional fuckup!"
6:24 PM
"Well guess what? We’re all a little bit of a delusional fuckup! You, me, Naomi, everyone! Except we don’t go around parading it like we’re some holy saint the world is relying on!"
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"I hate myself!""
6:25 PM
"Everyone else is superior to me!"
6:25 PM
"Maybe I would be interesting if I wasn't significantly worse!
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"Was hitler worse than you? Yeah, I’m going there. Nothing you do is that big. Not everything you do has to be the most important thing ever. Just… Live! Like a normal person!"
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"How!"
6:27 PM
"I'm not normal!"
6:27 PM
"I could never hope to achieve being normal!"
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"Being normal isn’t an achievement you work for…! It’s the lack of one!"
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"I have too many negative achievements!"
6:31 PM
"I could never hope to get rid of those achievements!"
6:31 PM
"It's impossible!"
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"Stop trying to fix everything at once! It’s not all or nothing, is it?"
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Bob gives up trying to kill himself for the time being.
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"Just try to do nothing. For once in your life don’t make anything worse… And don’t make anything better. Just exist."
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Bob allows himself to collapse on the floor and stare at the ceiling saying nothing at all.
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"God… Finally." Sarah sighs, and sits down next to him.
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"Are you really fine with your life being perpetually miserable?" He asks this in a snide tone (edited)
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((remove the brackets))
6:39 PM
((lmao))
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((Oops))
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"Stop talking."
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"Being a family is about being there for them and helping each other out to survive"
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"No. Being a family is about being a bunch of miserable pricks and torturing someone whenever you can."
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"It's about If that previous statement you made was a lie like the preview!" (edited)
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"As usual, I have no idea what that means."
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"the preview is an ideology about incomprehensible tendency lying preview!"
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"Just stop talking again."
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Bob decides to try to shut up for now. (edited)
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((Can we just continue next week? I still want to have time to do other things and I only have a few hours left in the day)) (edited)
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((Yeah sure))
7:04 PM
((Good session))
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((Saturday))
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"Aha! Ideology success!" IO approaches them. "Shut up. The last thing I need right now is 2 Bobs." Sarah.
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"Ideology annoyance preview!"
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"But by battling my ideology… You’re only showcasing your own!" IO.
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"Ideology is power preview!"
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"No, it’s more than simple power! It’s life itself!" IO. "Oh my god I’m going to go insane with you 2…" Sarah.
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"Who do I trust do I trust! 2 people can't be giving me advice! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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"Don’t trust anyone! That’s what I’ve been telling you!" Sarah. "Trust your ideology!" IO.
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"If I trust my ideology I'll be trusting you telling me to trust my ideology doesn't make sense!"
2:19 PM
"I trust nobody or my ideology!" (edited)
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"Ughhh… Why do you have to make everything so complicated. Just stop talking about insane gibberish like ideology." Sarah. "But ideology… Is who I am!" IO. "I don’t care!" Sarah.
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"If ideology is who you are you don't exist and are a concept you can't be trusted either preview!" (edited)
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"All people are concepts! Concepts trapped in flesh and bone, but concepts nonetheless!" IO.
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"I am below a concept!"
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"How does that work?" IO. "It doesn’t! It’s completely meaningless while pretending to say anything!" Sarah.
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"A concept Is above my worth I am nothing a meaningless person of patheticness!"
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"I swear to god if one of you says one more nonsensical piece of gibberish I’m going to earn this prison sentence!" Sarah. "…" IO shuts up.
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"Prison sentence after saying a sentence preview"
2:34 PM
"This isn't helping my case living with people that are horrible is forced suffering!"
2:36 PM
"The exact thing you wanted me to go against!"
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"Yeah, it’s not like I like being trapped here, you idiot!" Sarah sighs. "Ugh. Come on, let’s get away from these lunatics."
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Bob decides to agree to this and leaves. (edited)
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Sarah takes him back to his cell. "Your cellmate is gone, apparently so this place should be safe."
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Bob decides to sit down in his cell.
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Sarah sits down next to him and sighs. "…What did I do to get stuck with you?"
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"I don't know!"
2:58 PM
"Life is sure a confusing mess isn't it!"
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"…Yeah. Somehow, it really does feel like you’re the closest I’ve ever gotten to anyone. …It’s really disturbing."
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"Maybe we shouldn't question how the world works!"
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"…You’re right for once. Kind of. I keep talking about how you need to focus on smaller scale, and here I am doing the opposite. I guess I’m a pretty bad role model."
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"I feel the same way giving information to people I don't follow!"
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"…I don’t- What does that mean?"
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"I don't listen to the things I tell other people!"
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"I think that’s probably true of everyone, I guess." She goes quiet for a moment. "Do you remember in that car? When we were listening to music and we’d rate it in some silly way without trying to tie it to something larger?"
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"Yes I remember!"
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"…It was fun."
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"Yes it was!"
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"I’m sorry about the… Yeah. I wasn’t- I wasn’t thinking straight. And I was hypocritical and… I don’t know. I don’t- I don’t really know why I did it. Maybe I was mad at you? Maybe I was trying to help you? In retrospect… I think- I think you were right. Maybe I am screwed up, too. Even when I try to run… It doesn’t do anything."
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"I know how you feel. I do things I don't even know why I'm doing!"
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"Do you… Know how to stop it?"
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"Well. If it's one thing that keeps getting me into messes it's probably that I parrot others whether its to follow what they would want or follow the opposite!"
3:38 PM
"One problem among many others is Team Nine. once I knew who they really were, I made an desperate attempt to stop it! And that's why Jackson Day died!"
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"…Yeah, I know. We copy the people we’re close to, like I said. But I don’t…" She pauses. "I really thought I’d gotten away from that."
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"It's just how it's meant to be I guess!"
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"…But I don’t want it to be! I don’t… I don’t want my entire life to be defined by a bunch of assholes just because they created me! I don’t want to live my life as… This. I don’t owe them that."
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"You don't but it's hard to control."
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"…Yeah, it is."
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"I'll give you a compromise."
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"A compromise? How?"
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"Both of us hate to think this but maybe sometimes people are right about things and we have to be wrong"
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"Yeah, I’m aware. Life is complex and stuff. I try not to care about that kind of thing."
3:56 PM
"Sarah Stanley? You have a visitor." A guard enters. "Ugh, now? Really?" Sarah.
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"Once we get out of this prison I think we should apologize to Sam and Naomi."
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"No way in hell am I doing that." Sarah gets up. "See you later, Bob. Stay out of trouble."
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"Wait!"
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"Hm?" She stops. "What is it?"
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"I know this is a deed that will help mainly myself but I need a friend to guide me"
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"…I’m not your friend, okay? I don’t have any friends." Sarah leaves with the guard.
4:05 PM
((You wanted to end around now right?))
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((I can keep going for like 2 more hours probably)) (edited)
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She’s gone.
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Bob takes a nap.
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"Morning, sleepyhead!" Bob is very quickly awoken by IO.
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"What do you want!"
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"To talk to you, of course!" IO.
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"I'll talk to you if you can break me out."
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"Huh? You can’t break out. This place is our home!"
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"Sometimes families move out for a while." (edited)
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"But why? This place is perfect!"
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"It's a place of suffering!"
4:21 PM
"For me atleast." (edited)
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"That’s because you keep fighting it!" IO.
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"I keep fighting it because its nothing but suffering!" (edited)
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"This is where your ideology will grow! You’ve gotta enter ideology overdrive to understand the beauty of this place!"
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"My ideology will be never going back to this place again!"
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"Yeah! That’s the spirit!"
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"There is no beauty in this prison."
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"There’s beauty in people! That’s the power of the human spirit!"
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"I admire the beauty in you to get the fuck out of here!" (edited)
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"Haha-Ha! I admire that beauty too!"
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"Do that specific beauty!"
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"My beauty is eternal!" IO. "IO, stop harassing him." LM walks in.
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"You're not going to kill me, are you?"
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"What? No." LM.
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"Did you want to kill me when you knocked Kyoko out?"
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"You did that. Not me. But no, I’m not gonna kill you. Just don’t repeat it." LM.
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"Sorry, I meant that I knocked kyoko out. Look- all i'm going to do is cause misery so can you find me a way out of this place? You're the toughest guy here."
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"A jailbreak?" LM.
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"Yes a jailbreak."
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"…" LM pauses. "I can’t help you with that." "Exactly!" IO. "But SM probably can." LM. "Huh? No!" IO.
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"If you're fine with this then this can happen."
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"I know you have a soft spot for Nathan, but he’s not cut out for this place." LM.
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"I need to get out of here."
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"But he’s a member of TAP! Aren’t you?" IO.
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"I have no time for liars and you're just gonna live with it!"
5:01 PM
((Can we stop here?))
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((Yeah))
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((Saturday))
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((I'm making lunch right now I'll start as soon as I finish))
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"But this is your home now!" IO. "Let him go, IO. This isn’t worth it." LM.
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"This will never be my home!"
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"Come on! Use your ideology to fight mine!" IO.
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"I refuse to trust in ideology!"
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"But ideology is life itself!" IO.
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"LM please elaborate on the prison break."
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"Talk to SM, like I said." LM.
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"Where do I find SM if I can?"
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"Solitary confinement." LM.
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Bob goes to solitary confinement.
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SM is in their cell. "Hello, Nathan."
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"H-Hi how c-can I e-escape from t-this place?"
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"You want to break free from here?"
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"Y-yes I do w-want to!"
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"Hm. And what’s in it for me?"
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"W-what would y-you want?"
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“That’s private for now."
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"I-is this g-gonna involve k-killing people?"
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"It might. Who’s to say?"
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"T-then n-no!"
3:08 PM
Bob leaves back to his cell.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / sam-kidink
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 8:20 PM
"..."
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((This is the end of Sam 6. You’re now on Sam 9))
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Sam Kidink 8/5/2023 8:25 PM
(("ok and?" Sam responds to the out-of-universe text.))
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((End session btw))
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((Saturday))
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Naomi drives home.
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...It's Tuesday. Maybe I should stop by school tomorrow. I essentially skipped the weekend, didn't I? I'm not sure what I would've done anyway, to be fair. Sam has no comments.
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She parks in their driveway. "Get out. You’re going to talk to your father for once. He’s been worried sick."
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Now that's an interesting surprise. I can welcome that. Even though it's more that we just happened not to see each other. ...Wasn't I meaning to ask him some questions at some point? I've unfortunately forgot what they were. I doubt it matters, anyway, especially if I'm explicitly trying to work around this city's events. ...Though, in that case, perhaps I should stall out the upcoming conversation as long as possible? I'm not sure. "Of course." He does get out. (edited)
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Naomi walks into the house.
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...I could go through the effort of figuring out who is important and for what, but I might just be doing what Ehn wants. I should find some balance, or lean more towards not doing that. He walks into the house.
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Stan Kidink is inside. "…Hi. Hello there."
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"Hey."
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"…" Stan.
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Okay, this is easy. It doesn't seem like there's anything for me to do here. In that case, the logical thing to do should be to keep going, right? "What day is it today?"
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"Umm… I think it’s Tuesday?" Stan. "Seriously? You’re father and son meeting again after he disappeared… That’s all you react with?" Naomi. "Oh, uh… Yeah. Great to… Uhh… Great to see you, son." Stan says without any real emotion.
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"So? I was gone for a few days. He's been gone for a few days in the past as well. It happens, that's the real takeaway of all this. Also, this conversation is very important." He responds to Naomi. "Anyway. You're right. It's probably Tuesday. I've thought quite recently that the calendar system is quite interesting. The way the days of the week are doesn't actually make much sense. Have you thought about why that might be? I don't actually know personally, but it's also very easy to forget the way the calendar works. Imagine being in one place and working in another place. You would be operating on an entirely different weekly schedule from everyone else. The weekends would be entirely different, and so on. There would be constant conflicts having to deal with schedules in a place which is a few days off from another one. But for some reason, this system is in place. Have you ever wondered why that's the case? I have as well." "Anyway, how has your day been?"
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"Oh, uh… It’s alright. Just… Yeah, it’s been relaxed. As for the da-" Stan is interrupted by Naomi. "What are you doing!? Stop just moving on! This… This isn’t how a family is supposed to work. At least hug each other or something." Naomi.
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"The moment's already passed, Naomi. If it was to occur, it would've by now." "Well, what are your thoughts on the day of the week?" He resumes the conversation where it left off.
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"No, it hasn’t. You have to do this properly. What is wrong with you 2?" Naomi. "Right, uh…" Stan awkwardly tries to hug Sam.
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He shrugs, and returns the 'hug'. This really is a waste of time. "Anyway, can we return to the previous conversation topic? I was interested in that."
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"No, you can’t. Because it’s a meaningless discussion. You’re almost an adult, Sam. You should be able to do more than this kind of ridiculous small talk." Naomi. "…Right, sorry honey." Stan mumbles awkwardly.
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"It's not at all ridiculous. It's a question that is of actual significance. Don't people tend to ask each other how their days were at work? The meaningless conversations, in that sense, are really the only important ones." In reality, I must consider the possibility that they're working together, or that there are 'narrative' circumstances deliberately working against me continuing this line of conversation, regardless of whether the topic is important or not. Well, it doesn't matter. I'll work around whoever I'm up against. "Also, I'll inevitably ask about this later regardless if I don't do it now."
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"Good for you." Naomi says sarcastically. "But we have more to do before the end of the day. I’m not going to let us get slowed down by this."
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"Of course. Getting slowed down by his thoughts on a single question. We're wasting so much time here. Are you sure you actually care about getting slowed down?"
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"What are you implying? That I owe you this conversation after you ran away and wasted days of my life?" Naomi.
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"Not at all. I was implying something else entirely. Also, the decision to waste days of your life was your own. Regardless, I've probably spent enough time here and it's clear that I'm not going to be allowed to do this. It probably doesn't matter anyway and Stan's probably falling asleep or something out of boredom, so let's go. This was very important." He exits out the door.
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Naomi leaves and gets back in the car.
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There are two possibilities in regards to the earlier conversation: One, I somehow asked something very important, so maybe I should go around asking people about the days of the week. Two, it's completely useless. If in Ehn's plan, Stan is unimportant somehow, then maybe it was not worth getting a response out of him at all. Isn't that how most things go? What's extremely important in many cases tends to be something that appears irrelevant. Sorting that out is the most difficult part, but it's also what makes things interesting. He gets in the car.
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Naomi drives to Shelk prison. "I’ll be nice and let you visit that friend of yours for once."
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What makes this mandatory? There has to be some greater purpose behind it. I have to be careful, even if I can get information out of this. "Thanks, then."
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They arrive at the prison. Naomi heads inside.
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What should I be asking? Probably anything about the situation that can help, assuming I can find Bob or Hav among the many people there. I probably owe it to them to explain anything about the situation. It's possible that, just like before, telling whoever is there anything will lead to Naomi not understanding anything I'm saying. In that case, it should be completely safe to explain the 'story'. As for my end, I might as well determine what has occurred by asking Sarah... He goes in.
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Sam is brought to the interrogation room. Sarah Stanley is across from him. "…Sam?" Naomi stays outside.
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...Ehn never brought up Sarah, so explaining 'story' details is unlikely to mean anything. "Yes. I'm here, unfortunately. It's been some time. ...What happened?"
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"Weren’t you missing? What happened?"
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"...It's not particularly interesting. I tried to escape the city because it sucked. Apparently my death was supposed to be faked or something, but it didn't work out. I eventually got dragged back here because of the obvious person. So I've missed the past three or four days, and I'm not particularly looking to get up to speed unless you think there's something important to me."
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"Probably not. But… I doubt that description could qualify as uninteresting to anyone."
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"...Why? The result that was likely to happen eventually happened. I ended up back here eventually. Actually escaping would probably require much more effort than what I put in. Sure, I met people, but most people don't want to hear about that. Here, all I'm aware of is that a bunch of people I knew ended up in prison, including Bob Smith and Mr. Kerloe."
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"No, it’s just me and Bob. Hav Kerloe isn’t in prison."
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"Oh, okay. That's convenient." Maybe Naomi just said that to make me drop the topic. "...In any case, there isn't much more to say on my end. How did you end up here?"
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"I was accused of killing Jackson Day. But I didn’t, we just hid his body."
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"That's... something." I forgot Jackson Day was at all important. But I figure that he played some important role to Bob, at least. And he's dead now? How strange. From what I remember last, he was still stuck trying to do his job or whatever, which led to Sophie getting severely injured... "...But why do that? I imagine that would just make accusing you of killing Jackson easier, even though it didn't happen. I suppose it's not very relevant, though. ...How have you been otherwise?"
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"…Bad. I’m stuck playing babysitter to a crazy YouTuber and your bitch mom hates me."
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"The second part checks out, can't expect much from her. In regards to the first, I'm thinking I might be able to get through to Bob Smith, though I have no clue how I'd get to talk to him while Naomi is around."
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"I can pass on a message if you want."
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"I doubt I can accomplish much that way, but sure. Tell him not to trust any talking animals, and to fight against the 'narrative'. He should understand what both of those mean, even if they sound like nonsense."
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"…Yeah, I think I’ll pass on that. He’s been dealing with these lunatics calling themselves TAP, the last thing he needs is more nonsense to follow."
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"Yeah, that's about what I figured." Of course it would be impossible for this to work. "Whatever 'TAP' is sounds even worse to me. ...Instead, you can tell him he should stop wearing that suit of his if he gets out. How about that?"
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"Your mom already has the suit anyway."
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"Well, he might try to steal it back. He shouldn't."
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"I’ll tell him, then. Sure."
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"Thanks. Hope you get out soon."
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"Yeah, tell your mother to. If I hear the word Ideology one more time I might actually kill someone."
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"Why would- oh, never mind, I think I get it. Sure." Probably Bob Smith's newest twist on his thought process. But he still helped me in the end... I doubt I'll ever understand.
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"Do you mind… Giving me advice, actually?"
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"...What for?"
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"…Have I ever told you about my family?"
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"No, not much."
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"My dad owned this massive burger chain… Before your time. So we got rich off that, and life should’ve been good. But he’s like… Crazy. And my mom never loved him, so everything there was hell. My brother and I got out of there as fast as we could, but… Well, I don’t exactly have the most optimistic view of family."
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"You have a brother? ...In any case, I can't say I'm too optimistic either."
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"2 of them. And a sister. I think she goes to your school. But, anyway… My brother told me that people are essentially composed of the people around them. We naturally take from everyone else and that… Essentially… Defines who we are."
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Well, I have no idea if I'm going to end up back at school or not. Maybe it doesn't matter. "Interesting."
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"I was wondering… If you knew how to avoid that? To just… Live as yourself."
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"...There's little I can say on the 'living' side of things. As far as being yourself, though, I like to think there are actions we can take in spite of whatever others are telling you to do. Usually, you take after people by following in the plans they've set out for you without thinking about any of it. So it's good to consider what you're actually doing, and if there are other options." "It's just speculation, of course. I don't know if anything I'm doing will work in the end. But I at least don't think I'm just taking after people."
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"Whatever you took from your mother, it definitely wasn't much."
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"Well, that's good to know. I've started to think I don't know her at all. Maybe for the better. Do you think you ever really knew your parents?"
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"Yeah. I got the full picture. They're the absolute worst... The kind of people I never want to be like."
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"Good, then. I don't think you're crazy, that's for sure."
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"But if I let anyone in... It's going to happen, isn't it?"
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"Maybe? I won't claim to be someone who opens up to others. As long as you don't become the owner of a restaurant chain, it should be fine."
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"It's not... Just my dad I'm worried about."
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"Who else, then? I doubt you're suddenly going to become the Sentasaurus one day, for example. ...I don't have anything against him currently, but I haven't been around him for a while. Still, it doesn't sound to me like he could say anything that would cause a change."
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"That... Is actually what I'm worried about."
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"...Then, as it comes to him specifically, I doubt there's much to worry about. I don't know what to think of him anymore. I thought about it before. I've been frustrated by him for a while, but... He did try to help me in the end, tried to keep me away from Naomi, whether it actually benefitted me or not. I doubt it's worth figuring out how he operates, but I don't think his intentions are bad. Just let him be, and figure out what you can do on your own. I doubt he has a plan that involves forcing you down a certain path, if nothing else."
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"…But for some reason, I can’t help but care about him.”
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"Why?"
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"I wish I knew." She pauses. "…He kind of reminds me of home, somehow."
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"Because of your father? Perhaps most adults in this area suck. ...If you're going to be stuck in jail for not much longer, then chances are you both escape and you can ignore him afterwards. If you're going to be there for a while, then the best you can do is attempt to figure out how he operates. Seems like better perspective than just giving in, at least."
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"So… You think I should still stay away?"
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"Well, I don't think there's any need to open up to him, but if you have little else to do, try to figure out what he's doing. But that doesn't require being very close. That said, it should be your decision in the end, not mine."
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"…Right, yeah. I know." She pauses. "We’re not friends, either. I’m just coming to you for advice."
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((Saturday))
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"…Right, yeah. I know." She pauses. "We’re not friends, either. I’m just coming to you for advice."
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"...Fair enough. All the same, I'm just here to provide advice."
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"Exactly." She sighs.
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"That's all, then."
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"…I guess so."
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Actually, if Bob Smith is a 'protagonist', does that mean it's possible Sarah is bound to eventually care about him regardless of this conversation, and for that to have real consequences at some point assuming things go according to Ehn's plan? How strange, but I suppose there isn't any good thinking about it... However much I can do is entirely up for debate. "Well, good luck. Try not to get too attached." He then leaves.
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Naomi is waiting outside. "Do you understand now? What happens if you try to go against me again?"
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"What?" Sam is genuinely confused by this question. I sure learned things?
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"In prison. I can send you to prison." She says, annoyed. "Is your brain dysfunctional or something? Autism or whatever it’s called."
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"I don't know. Maybe? And I've effectively been in jail already. It might do me some good to go back." Being stuck in a place might help disrupt Ehn's plans and so on until some inevitable nonsense occurs to save Bob Smith. At the same time, I highly doubt Naomi would actually put me in prison, unfortunately.
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Naomi takes out a strange device that looks like a watch and forces it onto Sam’s arm.
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Hm. This probably isn't an object, at least not an important one. But if I'm really going to jail now, this could still help. Thanks? "..."
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"It’s a GPS that tells me where you are at all times. And no, you can’t take it off."
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"So? I doubt it'll serve much use to you now. As I said, I'm just going to be around in this town." What's the worst that could happen? As long as she isn't working with Ehn or whatever, the chances that this actually forces any consequences in the future is low. Perhaps I'd be worried if I didn't know what was really going on.
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"I’m going home now. You’re free to come with me again, or you can waste your time like you always do on your own."
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"...That depends. What are you planning to do at home?"
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"Work. I’ve wasted enough time on you now."
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"Have fun, then." Overall, she doesn't actually cause any lasting complications, at least on a relative scale.
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She leaves.
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What now? I did want to visit more people in the prison if possible before going to the fish store and so on, but I don't know how possible the former is. And it would be a waste to go somewhere else before returning here. Another possibility that could help is talking to people who probably don't 'matter'. I doubt most of the prison people here are acquainted with Bob Smith or whoever. But I like talking to random people anyway. It can't hurt. Sam immediately looks for someone around in the prison who seems like they might know something. "Is it possible to visit people here?"
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"Depends on who." A guard answers.
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"I see. Is there someone here named 'Bob Smith'?"
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"Yes, there is. But you can’t visit him. He’s on suicide watch."
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"Strange." I suppose for Sarah, dealing with that situation would only be worse considering that. No matter, I wasn't expecting to be allowed anyway. "I see. I assume there is no 'Hav Kerloe' here?"
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"None."
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"Cool." Sarah was right, of course. You know, this conversation isn't so bad. He's giving responses, at least. "Do you know anything about the woman who was here earlier?"
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"Which one?"
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"...Naomi."
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"Mrs. Kidink?"
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"Yes."
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"She's a lawyer."
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"Okay. What about Sarah Stanley?"
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"She's an inmate."
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"Before that?"
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"No clue."
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"Thanks. Sorry if I interrupted your daily job, but it was important." Well, at least I know the exact details around here now. Better than nothing.
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The guard walks away.
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He leaves after that and heads to the fish store. He doesn't think about much of importance along the way, considering it not very helpful under the circumstances.
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In the place of what was once a fish store is the destroyed remains of a building. The front is covered in crime scene tape.
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...Now, this is interesting. I wonder if the fish store getting destroyed was a purposeful action. I suppose this wasn't meant to last if Hav Kerloe too plays an important role. Unfortunately, it seems I was too late to do anything about it. Still, I might as well ask around if this is going to be the case. It's the best thing I can do. ...Wait, no, I know something about this. A few days ago, around the weekend in Avengard, someone entered. That person was carrying an object, so is likely notable as well. Then, this place was supposedly meant to be closed down for 'safety practices', but the reality is more likely that some explosion occurred. But it should be noted that the objects should be avoided as much as possible. What actually happened? That would be good to know while I'm here. In any case, 'escaping' is hardly a physical matter at this point. Sam looks to find someone who is at the crime scene.
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No one is around.
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Unfortunately, there aren't people here. At the same time, I figure that means I might as well try walking in and figuring out what's happened myself, even if that's more annoying. Sam attempts to enter the crime scene and look for anything of note.
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((Roll))
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((9))
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Sam doesn’t find anything in the wreckage.
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Well, the building was almost certainly completely destroyed. But there used to be fish here. I wonder where they went? I doubt any useful evidence could've been meant to be there. Why is this a crime scene, anyway? Just because of whatever explosion must've occurred? There should be much more here than there is, still. Sam specifically checks for the existence of fish at the fish store.
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((Roll))
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((1!))
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Sam spends so much attention on not finding fish that he accidentally walks headfirst into a wall.
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He sighs after this occurs. There are still walls here, apparently. And I guess they were probably taken away as evidence, in that case. Or, perhaps Mr. Kerloe went and took them back to his house, or whatever was remaining. I wonder what he's up to now? Unfortunately, I doubt I will get his address from the area, let alone anywhere he might be working. This is very strange, still. There must be some sort of 'narrative' planned for him, so what's this? I've seen almost nothing so far. This city is way too large. Without prior knowledge, this totally would've been fine. Sam checks again anyway to see if he missed contact information left lying around.
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"Wow, this is really embarrassing to watch." Ehn appears.
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Nothing. At least someone's here now. "What can I say? Evidence is important. Having nobody around gives me free reign to do whatever I want."
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"Didn’t you hear? The police already decided Bee did this."
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"Well, it's a meaningless name to me. What sort of name is that, anyway? It's worse than yours. I figured I'd see for myself." (edited)
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"Bee. Y’know, the first letter of Bob. I obviously can’t use the first letter of Nathan."
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...So your first letter is N? I should hope it's someone I don't know. "Sure. In either case, that leads to obvious doubt regarding this outcome."
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"You really think you can stumble back in this late and just solve everyone else's plots?"
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"Not at all. My goal is entirely different."
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"Oh yeah? And what is it, then?"
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"Why should I tell you? If you already know, there's no point, and if you don't know, I have no reason to."
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"Sheesh... What'd I do to piss you off so bad...?"
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"Who knows? Our past few conversations have been great."
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"I’ve done nothing but help you out on your path to being a protagonist! Really, if you want to blame anyone for 'bad writing' or whatever you’re on, blame yourself."
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"It appears we have entirely different thoughts on 'stories', then. Taking a step back from my own actions, it's clear what stories I'd look for. I'd say some of it was quite good, actually."
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"Uh-huh? And what stories are those?"
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"Well, none of this political or crime nonsense, for one. It's all messy and not anything people should care about, and I don't get why Naomi cares so much about the mafia. Aside from that, the best you can do is let things play out how they would normally, and determine what outcomes they go for from there. Most interference really serves to nothing but trouble, really." "Take Jackson Day. I heard he died while I was gone. He held some people at gunpoint, but never actually went through with it. Good on him. Unfortunately, someone tried to send interference his way, and look what happened. He eventually got roped into events he never should've had a stake in, and then he died for it instead of continuing whatever entertaining life as a popular content creator he had previously. What a waste, really."
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"No, Jackson Day's arc was pretty natural. He was an awful guy, so he deserved an awful fate."
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"Was he? He was simply stuck answering to some higher-ups who most likely did nothing for anyone. I bet he was used just like many others were, whether by you for any 'protagonists', or by whoever his actual superiors were. You can find many people like that. Gordon, too. Wonder what's going to happen to him now that I'm here again."
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"Oh… He’s gotten himself into a much worse situation than just disobeying 1 order. It’ll work out though, I’m sure."
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"Of course. He'll probably end up dead for reasons he never deserved, just like Jackson Day."
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"Everyone dies eventually, y’know?"
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"Well, there's a world of difference between dying in two days and dying in twenty years. There's much more time to get to know what you want in the latter case. Though, really, I find death quite boring, unfortunately. Which seems to a common occurrence here. What are you looking for in this 'narrative' of yours? All I see here is a mess."
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"Fun! I’m like you, in a sense. I’m a spectator. And I get bored when there’s nothing to watch."
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"Maybe. I get the feeling you want to watch, too. Still, my definition of my fun must be quite different. After all, I can't possibly see how this is enjoyable. Do you like hearing about gang wars and the like, or what?"
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"Not particularly."
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He facepalms, which is the first gesture he has made this entire conversation. "What? Then why focus on it? You're only hurting yourself this way. ...Which for the record, I'd be okay with if it wasn't hurting me as well."
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"Well… Because I’m mad, obviously."
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"Why? You could've just let them do whatever they wanted and went and tried to live your own life, unless you're personally after anyone specific. There's a lot to see elsewhere in the city. And a lot to see outside Avengard, too."
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She just rolls over without answering.
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"...Well, am I wrong? This isn't even about me or whatever nonsensical involvement I was supposed to have, or meant as some sort of comeback. It's actual advice. And if you're out for someone in particular, then that's your story, not mine."
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She keeps rolling around.
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"You have these inexplicable abilities that hardly feel real. You could easily make something out of that without any of this." He sighs. "...Well, I have nothing else to say to you. I'll probably just sit here for now. Hopefully no extra explosives were left here." He does just sit down wherever.
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"For now? How long is that?"
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"I don't know. Could be anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. I haven't decided where I should go next, considering Mr. Kerloe isn't here. Maybe I'll find some random building and try to converse with whoever's there, like how things used to be. Until I get stopped by Naomi, you, or anyone else, really."
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"Ugh, you’re boring." Ehn leaves.
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"Thanks." He does indeed sit there. Actually, he gets up and decides to check the area again just because it's been a bit and he totally expects the result to change.
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((Roll))
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((6))
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Nothing.
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... He sits there a bit longer. Bob and Sarah are accounted for. Hav is probably somewhere I have no clue about. Even Shawn and Ray would be at school, and if not, nowhere important. Not like I have much interest in going back there regardless. This is a waste. I should go find someone. If I can't figure out any ways to solve my problems, it would help to kill time in an actually enjoyable way. My part in the better story ended earlier today, anyway. Why bother with the 'story' here? He gets up and finds some random building and tries to enter it.
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As Sam is walking around, he hears a familiar voice yelling "Sam!?"
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...There are a few people this could be, right? Sam tries to figure out who this could be but does not turn or anything similar.
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It’s Sophie.
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What? There isn't any point concerning myself with this. Even if not, what would I do? If I'm going to cut my part in Ehn's 'story' off here, then let her live her live and work with other people or whoever. Right. That was the same day I met Bob Smith for the first time. Ehn was pulling the strings at that point. I can't let this matter. I'm definitely hearing things. She probably died after I left. He stops briefly because people are supposed to do that after they hear their names call that. But he figures he should just keep walking after that. He does that.
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"Asshole." Sophie says this and this ends their communication.
6:50 PM
((End session))
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((Saturday))
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Sam is still walking.
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I'm seriously hearing things. Or Ehn is playing more tricks... Do I follow along? Or... "...I don't know what you're doing. I'm sorry." He says this to no one. There's nothing. He nevertheless stops after turning some corner and waits to see if anything will happen.
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Nothing.
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((Saturday))
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Nothing.
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 2:05 PM
He sighs, then returns to his previous train of thought. He finds some random building and tries to enter it.
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It’s a normal subway restaurant.
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 2:18 PM
He goes up to the counter after waiting for whoever is in line previously. "Do you mind if I ask some questions to someone around here?" I don't expect to order from anywhere in these circumstances. (edited)
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"…Yes."
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 2:26 PM
"Okay. First, what's your name?"
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They say their name.
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 2:30 PM
"Cool. What are your thoughts on Avengard as a whole?"
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"…Is this a joke?"
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 2:37 PM
"No."
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((his canonical name is bart andy. thank me later)) (edited)
👍 2
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((It is not.))
2:44 PM
"Why are you here then?"
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 2:49 PM
"Well, there isn't much else I feel like doing, and talking to new people appeals to me. You could consider it an interview of sorts, though I'm open to talking about myself as well. I would ask the same thing, though. Why are you here?"
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"Because I’m supposed to be."
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 3:07 PM
"That's true, but why this city in particular?"
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"Because." They shrug.
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 3:22 PM
"Have you met anyone outside this city?"
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"There is no one outside the city."
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 3:28 PM
"What? I've definitely met people outside the city." Finally, an interesting comment. I can't possibly see how this makes sense, but it would be strange if the words of someone who has never been part of my 'story' were false.
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They shrug and continue staring at the air.
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 3:29 PM
"What makes you think there is no one outside the city? Is there something different about anyone who might be there?"
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"People like you, obviously."
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 3:32 PM
"I don't think so. There are all sorts of people here and elsewhere."
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"Maybe from your perspective."
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 3:35 PM
"Don't you tend to see different people come by, though? Being at a restaurant and all."
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"Do I really have to go through everything again with you? Is that my cosmic joke?" (edited)
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 3:42 PM
"...I don't know? I don't like assigning people into different roles. I'm not sure why you think this is happening 'again', but I would prefer for you to be your own person. Same goes for everyone else. If you have things to do outside of this discussion, then that's fine."
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"You’re so full of yourself…"
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 3:58 PM
"Should I not be? I'm just trying to do whatever, and if you aren't giving many answers, then I'll talk. You didn't have to initiate this conversation, so choosing to do so indicates some purpose to it." "...It's like the conversation I had last before coming here. Though, I don't know what talking to talking animals says about me, but that's besides the point. Isn't it an interesting hypothetical? A so-called talking animal who is probably a person, but her opinions are the same as some Subway worker I happen to find at random. In that sense, people here maybe do have all the same opinions, but with different experiences, it's impossible that two people would truly have the exact same set of opinions. Unless I'm just talking to her again, but that would be dumb. Anyway, my point is that different opinions exist, as much as I'm not a fan of many parts of this city."
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"I don’t need to be lectured on the concept of opinions. Are you just here to mock me? Is this some kind of cosmic joke for trying to break free? Have I really been trapped with the most comically narcissist child ever?"
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 4:02 PM
"...Sorry. I've spent a while trying to break free of my circumstances as well. I'm just in a situation where it didn't work and I haven't yet determined how to proceed."
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"Why… would you ever want to break free? You’re exceedingly lucky."
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 4:07 PM
"Definitely not. You're far luckier than I am. You get to have a normal job and just keep doing that and maybe meet people from time to time. I'm stuck getting thrown around everywhere between a few people when I'd much rather see people come and go. Why would you want to break free?"
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"Because I don’t exist! None of this exists! Nothing is real!" He is very clearly deranged.
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 4:22 PM
"That's a nice thought. I would argue there's a lot that isn't real around here, so you're probably on to something. I've seen for myself a fair amount of scripted events centered around this city. Maybe we exist, but it's not a very fulfilling existence." Sam gets the correct takeaway.
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"That’s your fault. You exist. You’re the reason I exist right now."
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 4:36 PM
A thought-provoking question. If I never went to talk to this person and he was never part of my story, would he be relevant to anyone else in Ehn's eyes? Well, I think it just means he has his own matters to attend to, which is good. "And I get to blame someone else for my existence as well."
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"You exist full time! You're not... You're not cursed to be a background character!"
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 4:44 PM
"...You wouldn't want to be relevant all the time. It just makes you a target. I don't think you're a background character. You have your own life outside of this." Don't you do things outside of this? Never mind. I doubt I'll get any answers from someone who things a person they just met is meaningful in any capacity. Maybe he really is just being controlled by Ehn considering the nonsense he's spouted. But maybe I could get some better insight on his perspective... "Who would you consider a 'main character' anyway?"
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"That's not my choice. I just... Feel it. Suddenly I exist again when a main character like you shows up. When you're not here, I vanish."
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 4:52 PM
How strange. The idea that much of this isn't real, and some people are just coming into existence when Ehn's 'protagonists' are running around talking to people... That's a frightening prospect. I don't think it makes sense, considering I've seen people outside this city just fine. But is her control over this city more than I thought? Is it somehow possible many of the people I've met now, or even in the past, are being controlled in some manner? ...My best approach is still to trust what I see is real. "...You said 'like me'. Are there others?"
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"A ton. I even tried to kill one once to prove a point but the universe just... Moved on. It forgot."
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 5:01 PM
"Someone failed to be killed for unknown reasons..." This does align with my experiences. How strange. It's even more bizarre that a random Subway worker is awar eof this fact. I hope someone isn't pulling the strings on this interaction, too. If so, I should get whatever info might help and leave. The more I know about others involved in this, the easier it should be to arrive at a solution. "What was that person's name? Do you know the names of anyone else involved?"
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"No. I refuse."
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 5:06 PM
"Why? I could try to deal with them, if what you're saying is true."
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They don't respond.
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 5:11 PM
"If you were being threatened, for example, then by your logic, it won't matter after I leave this place."
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"There's no point."
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 5:18 PM
"Look, the event in which I actually get useful information besides 'there is nothing that can be done' is surprisingly rare. I'm willing to attempt to make a change in your situation and it might help mine as well if I get to talk to more people I don't know. Or we can keep talking in this Subway restaurant."
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"..."
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 5:25 PM
Is it possible that nothing I say will affect this result? Asking about this is perhaps stepping out of bounds. But I find it quite interesting as a result of that. If I just stay here, I wonder when something absurd will happen to stop me from getting an answer? Will Naomi show up inexplicably? Will Bob Smith break out of prison and crash into this Subway? It's definitely the right move. "..." He waits.
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"Is this a fucking joke to you, man?"
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 5:27 PM
"It is. But I'm not the one who invented this farce. That's someone else's doing. ...I fully intend to wait here until I get an answer or until something absurd happens to prevent that."
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They just sigh.
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 5:29 PM
"What do you suppose might happen if I were to talk to any of the random customers around here? They should have their own stories to work with, and they should know even less."
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 5:51 PM
"I'm not going to try it, of course. I can't risk the possibility that such a person really does know nothing. I'll keep waiting here. It's the best thing I can do." He sighs.
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"…Thanks."
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 6:06 PM
"Not a problem." Even aside from getting an answer, this is the best course of action. Letting this conversation with someone who might be considered 'irrelevant' go as long as possible is the best thing I can do.
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"…"
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 6:13 PM
"..."
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"…"
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 6:25 PM
"..."
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"What’s your name?"
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 6:31 PM
"Alex." So much for that talk about characters and all that. If I'm so important, then shouldn't he already know my real name? I suppose I can play along, though. It doesn't matter.
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"No last name?"
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((Alex Banzai.))
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 6:33 PM
"People usually introduce themselves with first names only, right? I forgot your last name, even though you introduced yourself earlier. I can be Alex Zeety, if you want. Makes about as much sense as any other last name." (edited)
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"Everyone forgets. My name doesn’t even really exist."
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 6:50 PM
"Sounds like a good thing. Makes it easier to live if people can move on and forget other people's names."
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"It doesn’t. There’s nothing I’d want more in the world than to make a meaningful impact. To become real."
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 7:09 PM
"Well, the way I see it, most jobs are impactful. You did a service to the many people who come by this restaurant. And if not that, then there are jobs out there besides working at a Subway. I can't find a good reason to care about a specific group of people and what they do. It's not like you were the one who chose your supposed list of 'main characters'. I'm only trying to find out because I've practically been forced to deal with them. But who says you have to?"
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"I don't exist when they're not around. Don't you get that?"
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 7:24 PM
"...That's stupid. It's impossible that you literally disappear from existence entirely when some people leave. Didn't you have a childhood? Friends you made in the past? Coworkers at your current job? Any memories from your past many years?"
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"Vaguely. But I know they're not real."
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 7:29 PM
"...Did somebody tell you they're not real? I find it hard to believe then that you would believe this without anyone making this ridiculous claim to you."
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"It's just true! I know it didn't happen!"
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 7:34 PM
"That's hardly logical. Even if we go with your theory, it just means that everyone else, including 'main characters', have had their past memories faked as well. Because everyone here should've been around for as long as they have." (edited)
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"None of them are real! What can't you understand?"
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 7:38 PM
"That's not what I'm saying! Anyone who's 'real' has had past memories as well. Are those not real either under your theory?"
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"Exactly!"
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 7:41 PM
"Then where's the starting point? What was the beginning of this 'story'?"
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"I… How should I know?"
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 7:45 PM
"Exactly. This theory doesn't make sense. If everyone suddenly came into existence a few days or week ago, then how did that occur in any sensible way?"
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"I… I don’t like this conversation anymore. I won’t let you convince me."
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 8:00 PM
...The problem is if he's right. It's worth considering, just like all other possibilities. But what does that tell me? Ehn only showed up a few days ago, and she has some goal she's trying to prove because she saw 'something' in this city. So it's impossible that all of this started when she showed up, because then there would be no past history to Avengard to see in the first place. Maybe a few days before that? While I respect the idea of learning about people here, what would you be able to understand about the vast number of people in this city in a few days? Probably nothing. Still, maybe Ehn is the type to come to conclusions in a few days... And that's nothing to say about what I remember doing, or Mr. Kerloe, or the Bob Smith... Even Ashley, who's not even in this city. Was that 'other town' just somehow in the same domain as Avengard? But the days of the week are entirely off there. Maybe Ehn took over this city, then took over that town days later, which forced some sort of schedule change? I certainly forgot about how the calendar worked more than once while I was there... It's certain that events started later over there than they did here. It's definitely possible, then. But how do I get out? How does anyone get out? How do people like this guy get saved? If I go somewhere else, that will just help expand the scope of whatever project or purpose all of this is going towards. I haven't learned anything useful, even despite considering this. It just means others are being roped into Avengard, as I knew before, and I have to find some way to defy a narrative operating across this entire city and even more. And whether I trust my memories or not, the solution is still missing. So, for now... "Okay. We'll go back to waiting until you tell me the names of anyone involved, or doing nothing otherwise. It's probably for the best."
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"…I want to go back to nothingness." He walks out of the store.
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 8:11 PM
He sighs. What did that mean? I went to a supposedly random person, and all of that happened. Perhaps I should ask someone else around here. Though, first... He exits the store. If he doesn't see the person he was talking to again, he goes back in.
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He’s still walking away from Sam.
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 8:18 PM
Well, on the plus side, he didn't just disappear from existence the moment he left the store. Though, is it possible he would've if I waited long enough? Or maybe someone else 'important' is out there? Strange. None of this makes sense. It's probably wrong after all. Sam follows behind for now, but doesn't try to confront him.
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He keeps walking until he reaches Shelk.
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Sam Kidink 9/2/2023 8:25 PM
This seems familiar. Avengard and Shelk are basically the same, of course. Sam continues to wait and see what he'll do next.
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"Sam Kidink!" He’s suddenly grabbed from the side by Sophie Wight. ((End session))
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((Saturday))
Lelouch Maoziwam started a thread. 9/4/2023 9:03 PM
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"Sam Kidink!" He’s suddenly grabbed from the side by Sophie Wight.
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Wh- Sam looks at the person who has grabbed him. Was I wrong? I don't even know how much I believed or didn't believe she was dead. It's strange. I don't know how surprised I am. After all that previous conversation, how much do I even understand myself. This is too confusing. There's so much I could think about, trying to figure out all of this, but... ...The Subway employee is probably gone. I was too careless. I should've just stayed in the restaurant. What did I think before all this, again? "I- uh- hi? I... thought you died."
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"No. I’m alive! No thanks to you!" She scoffs. "And if I had died, you’d be in a much worse position right now. They really wanted to argue you shot me."
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"...Sure, congrats. I suppose someone else took the fall instead because of that. Jackson Day is dead, after all. But there wasn't anything I could do in the end." It's been days, and the information I have is too far off, and I doubt Ehn was ever in contact with Sophie. Nothing I could say would help in this conversation. I should be avoiding her because she's still important, though. What could I even say? I can't just leave, that wouldn't be right this time...
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"Were… You the one who killed him?"
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"...No. I took the gun from him, then he ran off. Afterwards, Bob Smith hid the body, supposedly, but that's just what I heard."
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"Oh. That’d have at least been respectable."
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"Yes, I don't do the whole murder thing, unfortunately. ...Look, do you just want to know what's happened the past few days? It's probably the best I could do right now. Would make this conversation much easier, and I don't mind."
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She glares at him angrily, before speaking in an embarrassed tone. "…Yes."
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"Well, in Avengard, apparently Bob Smith is in jail with this woman named Sarah Stanley who I knew before. Who knows what that guy is up to now, but he's not really trouble anymore." "That's all besides the point, though. I did what I said I would. I did go off somewhere else. Gordon - the guy at the prison - found me, though, and told me I could leave this dumb city as long I didn't come back. My death was supposed to be faked, and apparently Bob Smith was supposed to be behind that. Of course, it didn't work. Sure, I went off to some other town for a few days, met some point who you probably don't know, and some events happened which I don't think you care about, but Naomi tracked me down eventually. So now I'm stuck here and she's tracking my every move. Basically, I failed, and now I'm stuck here." "The point is, I tried and failed to escape. But that's fine, you know? I don't know what your past few days have been like, but it might be your turn now. You could leave the city. I might be stuck here, but there's really nothing keeping you here anymore. Bob Smith is in jail, and unless your parents are tracking you or constantly look for you for no reason, now might be your chance to get out for good. It might be for the best."
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"I’ve been in a coma! Because you abandoned me! And I- I already know there’s no point in running away, okay? I’m not going to end up like my sister."
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"...There was nothing I could've done! I really tried, okay? You were in a coma by the time you were on the street. I tried to get you to a hospital, but I was the only person around, and I don't even know how you managed to get to one eventually. ...That's why I didn't shoot Jackson. I wanted to get answers from him, figure out why you were shot in the first place." He sighs. "But I'm not someone meant to solve problems. I don't see why you can't leave. I didn't even know you had a sister, or that she tried to leave as well. But I'm not engaging with all of this story. Not in the way some people want."
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"'Story'? What the fuck are you talking about? This is my life!"
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This really is an impossible conversation. How does any of this make sense?! It's been nearly five days and there's still no sense to it. The worst part about trying to work around this is I don't even know how the plan works. "Not that! It's a different matter. ...What do you know about what happened to her?"
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"To who?"
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"Your sister, of course. Not much better to do than figure out what happened."
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"She ran away. I... hadn't seen her in years."
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"...But was she still in Avengard?"
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"Maybe? I don't know. I haven't actually seen her yet."
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"So then... If you're going to stay here, and if I'm stuck here, then it's probably for the best for us to find her." ...This might be okay. There are two ways of approaching this. If I operate under the Subway guy's assumption, then her being out of the picture could indicate that finding her may not be possible at all. But that's okay, it will take us closer to the truth. On the other hand, if he's entirely wrong and that conversation was entirely meaningless, then again, she is likely not relevant to Ehn's plans for me or anyone else under that consideration. It's possible she's with some other 'protagonist' in Ehn's words, but that could still prove to be a useful conversation.
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"She came back to my father yesterday. She was practically begging. I don't think you need to do anything, and I definitely wouldn't want your help."
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"That's dumb. If you leave, you shouldn't try to come back. It would only make things worse. ...Didn't you say you wouldn't mind being away from your dad? In any case, there isn't much better for me to do around here."
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"There's nothing for me anywhere else."
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"How can you say for sure? There's always other people everywhere. ...You know, I met someone else who was active online or something, so maybe you're similar. Could be a good way of finding fulfillment if you aren't someone who likes walking places like me."
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"Stop it."
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"...Fine." I suppose I can check later, anyway. "Why did you bother looking for me in the first place if you know I ran off?"
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"I wasn't looking for you. I hate you. I just wanted your apology."
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"...Well, sorry then. I admit it. It would've been better for both of us and everyone else if things didn't turn out as they have. Is that all?"
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She looks at him silently for a while. "Do you know why anyone likes you?"
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"No, and they shouldn't. There are many people out there who would do much more for others. Being normal friends like that is probably ideal for many." ...In fact, this absurdity with people trying to be close to me started a few days ago. Maybe this is also Ehn's fault. It really doesn't help me, so I believe it. But what's the point? All the same, there are probably people who have thought the same way as me in the past or present, but they weren't put through this.
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"Because you're boring. And you're normal. And you're kind of really stupid. But mostly... You're just really boring. So stop trying to put on whatever this weird act is." She turns around. "Goodnight."
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"...Thanks. I wish you were right, after all. If you present yourself as normal, you can manage reasonable enough circumstances over time. At least, in theory. I would've preferred that, but other people have had different plans. And this is the result. Someone who acts 'normally' in an environment of constant action is a waste of space for those who can't appreciate other situations for what they are." "...It probably would've been better if we never met. Just do whatever you need to. It's the best for you. Bye." Sam walks away afterwards.
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Sophie also walks away.
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Sam goes back to the location of the destroyed fish store again and sits down.
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Time passes uneventfully until it’s night.
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Harriet Kadin 9/11/2023 3:58 PM
((time never passes eventfully))
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...Time passes too fast for this city. For Ehn, and those in this 'story'. That's all there is to it. Sam sort of just sits there and doesn't really do much of anything. Eventually, he decides to search the fish store area again.
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((Roll))
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((18))
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Sam is certain there is nothing to find here.
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Unfortunately, it appears this location really was meant to leave nothing behind. It's the past. He goes back to sitting there anyway.
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Stan's car pulls up outside of the store.
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...It's fine. In the end, there is still a lot I can try to explore. He goes over to the car.
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Stan gets out of the car. "Oh, umm… Hello."
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"Yeah. Hi." If he hasn't done anything up to this point, does this even matter? Probably not. He gets in the car. "Let's go. Unless you want to go somewhere else, which I'm also fine with."
4:22 PM
"Actually, what do you even do?"
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"What do you mean?" He gets back in the car.
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"What do you do all day? It's a simple question."
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"Oh, umm… Work? Run errands for your mother? You know…" He starts driving. "She just asked me to make sure you come home. You know… For safety reasons." He pauses for a moment. "I uh… Like bowling sometimes."
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"Yes, all of that was obvious. Except the bowling part. Realistically, there is no safety involved in any of this. The car could crash at any moment, for example, except that will never happen." "Whatever. I'm not really sure what I was expecting, and this is probably a waste of time either way. I'm glad you like bowling." (edited)
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"Oh, uh… Thanks?" He goes silent.
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"You're welcome. I would prolong this conversation, but I don't imagine anything happening right now that would make it useful." He does not elaborate and stays silent the rest of the time.
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"What was that thing you were asking me earlier? About the… Yeah."
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He sighs. "...The days of the week. About why a system exists where other places are days behind us for no reason. It's confusing. Do you have an answer or not?"
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"I think it’s a government thing. Like for taxes. Y’know."
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"Sounds like a poor excuse for a nonsense system. When do taxes even get collected? Why does a local government control the days of the week and not some world organization?"
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"I mean it’s like… Agreed upon I think. Some countries don’t do it."
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"Yes. It's totally agreed upon that some place less than a mile away is days behind. Maybe if I took a trip around the world I would miss a century."
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"I mean… If you went in the opposite direction it’d take you a while to jump forward. We’re just near one of the edges. They’re like… Big zones."
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"Still way too many days. What you're taught in school blatantly contradicts that thought process."
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"It is? Maybe it’s like… A political thing."
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"Whatever."
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They arrived home. Stan parked the car in the parking lot.
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He enters the house.
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Naomi is sitting inside.
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"I came back after all." He says this.
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"Good." That’s all she says.
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He shrugs and goes to wherever his room was before.
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It’s still there and unchanged.
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The Subway worker was right. He goes to sleep.
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((End chapter + session))
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / nathan-smith
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Sarah is there now. The other 2 are gone. "Where were you?"
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"I went to SM to see if there was a way to escape because LM said they'd know a way but I changed my mind after the only way they'd help me is through killing." (edited)
3:16 PM
"I thought you were bailed"
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"No, I just saw Sam."
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"Did Sam say anything about me?"
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"Yeah, he wanted to tell you something about talking animals. It didn't really make sense."
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"Did Sam want to talk to me?"
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"Yeah. But Naomi's watching over him."
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"That shouldn't be a problem"
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"Yes, it should. She hates us."
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"It's me she hates you were collateral damage."
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"Yeah, that just makes me feel so much better, doesn't it?"
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"Sorry. Sam hates me just as much as Naomi."
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"Yeah. According to him, I should stay away from you. And… He’s kind of right. But I think the people in here might somehow be more deranged than you."
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"You just proved my point there are way worse people than Naomi Kidink" (edited)
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"But she hates us and others don’t, so let’s not give them a reason to."
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"If Naomi or Sam explicitly tells me to get out of their sight I will do so"
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"Yeah, I’m sure you will." She facepalms. "Look, I’m getting out of this prison. And you’re gonna help me because it’s your fault I’m here in the first place. Past that? We never speak again. It’s better that way, okay?"
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"Ok I can agree to that. What's the plan?"
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"I don’t have one yet."
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"What are your thoughts on SM's jailbreak?"
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"What is it?"
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"I wasnt told the specifics outside of it involving violence. you'd have to ask for yourself if you want to know" (edited)
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"I don’t exactly want to rely on anyone who doesn’t already owe me."
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"I guess I should do it myself."
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"Yeah. We just have to think of a plan."
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"I'm going back to SM unless you have more to say."
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"No. Don’t. I told you, let’s figure this out on our own. Investigate exits and stuff so we can escape just us 2."
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((if you're going to investigate dont use quotes and tell the action that Bob is going to do))
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Bob goes to investigate.
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((Roll))
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((can i just roll for him))
4:59 PM
((i forgot that pichuis rolls in SOL2)) (edited)
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((19))
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((4, actually))
# 4 Details:[d20 (4)]
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((4))
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Bob doesn't find anything. It's getting quite late at this point.
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Bob goes to bed.
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((End chapter))
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / grobber-brentwood
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 5:38 PM
Grobber heads out to the prison front.
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It’s Fritz. "Hello, Grobber. I apologize for not coming to speak to you yesterday."
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 5:45 PM
Grobber's eyes go wide. "Oh. Hey, Fritz."
5:45 PM
"It's-it's okay, man. H-heh, you didn't have to come here. Don't worry about it."
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"I’m glad to hear it. But I saw your bail was available, so I took the liberty of freeing you."
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 5:49 PM
"Oh, um. Yeah. That's. Thanks, ehm... I'm, really very sorry you, er. You had to do that. It... I didn't want you to have to. Well. You know."
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"Is something wrong?"
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 5:52 PM
"...I fucked up again! Man, I... I didn't want to make my problems your problems. You're the one dude in the world who doesn't deserve that, Fritz."
5:52 PM
"And now, I'm... I'm afraid to leave."
5:53 PM
"I've been on repeat saying all this shit. Grace left me and took The Fungus. I have no money. I'm nothing! And to be honest... jail was good to me."
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"I see. Then you’d rather remain in jail for the rest of your life?"
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 5:55 PM
"....Yeah, kinda. Like. I don't know, man. It was easy."
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"If it’s where life is taking you, I have no reason to disagree with it."
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 5:57 PM
"But you- you spent all that money to keep me out, dude! I can't fucking, spit on that."
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"For now, I would recommend you come with me. There’s a situation I believe you might like to be informed on. I apologize if I am wrong in this guess, I’m not an expert at understanding others' desires."
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 6:01 PM
"S-sure. Yeah. That's great. Okay. Let's go."
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Fritz walks out of the prison.
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 6:04 PM
Grobber follows.
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He walks until he reaches a bus stop. "Here."
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 6:54 PM
Grobber follows him to the bus stop. "Wow, it's... bright."
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"Is it particularly dark in there?"
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 6:56 PM
"Nah, it's just a normal amount of dark. It's just bright put here."
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"How strange. I don’t really sense the difference."
6:59 PM
The bus arrives.
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 7:02 PM
Grobber follows Fritz on. "I guess it's like, hehm.. the, erm... you ever watch that one movie? 'By the time I saw the light, it was blinding..."
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"No, I have not. My interest in fiction is unfortunately rather recent. I haven’t had the chance to experience what may seem like such classics to you."
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 7:06 PM
"Yeah, I guess. I just love Bane."
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"Bane? The concept itself?"
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 7:10 PM
"No, like, the guy with the mask." Grobber does a funny Bane impression. "Nobody knew who I was until I put on the mask..."
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"I see. That’s far less philosophical than what I had imagined. I was about to make some statement about how… In a grander sense… We all often love bane. I’m a rather stoic person… But I find that oftentimes the greatest pains come from love."
7:14 PM
"Tell me about this bane of yours."
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 7:52 PM
"Well, I mean. I think that's what Bane is, right? In the comics, Bane isn't a show-off, it's all about the message and not about the means. There's something refreshing about that directness." "I don't know, as much as I hate Belto Shelk, I don't really think I hate one thing in particular. I just hate... stuff. I hate how satisfied people are with the way that things are. I hate people going day in day out, not even confident that everything is alright, just unwilling to care. I want to agitate that."
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"I was asking about the masked man you were talking about. What is he like?"
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 7:53 PM
"He's strong, and he's eloquent, and he leads a movement."
7:54 PM
"He's an ultimate force of strength and knowledge."
7:54 PM
"He fought Batman. And won."
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"Are bats particularly strong?"
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 8:00 PM
"Batman himself isn't the important one, his enemies are. Bane isn't a joke, he's not a riddle, he's not a bbird or a cat or a penguin. He's not a scarecrow or a plant or a puppet. He's not a broken friend or a regretful teacher, he's not another crazy person. He's just a force."
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"I see… So he’s the kind of person who understands his role, then?"
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 8:01 PM
"Exactly. There's no delusion. He's made his role."
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"I see. That’s respectable, then."
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 8:04 PM
"Yeah. He earns it. He doesn't just-" Grobber looks away. "Yeah."
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The bus arrives. "Hm…" Fritz steps off. "Do you recall that thing I mentioned earlier?"
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 8:06 PM
"Yeah, the thing I wanted to see?"
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"Yes…" His expression contorts, like he’s strangely sad. "I know it may seem strange coming from me but… I would suggest you prepare yourself. I don’t want to hurt you." They’re walking to Grobber's house.
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 8:08 PM
"o-okay?" Grobber starts looking for escape options, and breathes in and out. His pace gets more erratice as he walks towards his door.
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"I’m not… A particularly emotional person. I find that much more comforting. But I cannot deny that you often tend to slip through cracks I did not realize I had."
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 8:10 PM
Grobber starts to twinge a little bit in the side of his neck. "Th-thanks, Fritz. You... you make me emotional too. Sometimes it feels like you're the only other person. Ever. In like, the world."
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"…Is that so? That’s strange. I find that there are many people in the world who could very easily replace me."
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 8:11 PM
"Fritz, you literally, like, bailed me out, man. Nobody else in the world did that. Even the people that said they were going to..."
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"I thought you didn’t want that?"
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 8:13 PM
"It... felt nice. It's complicated. Nobody knows what they want. Me least of all."
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"I can’t say I really understand it. Personally, it’s quite rare for me to feel a want for anything."
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 8:18 PM
"I guess that means you got it all figured out. It must be great."
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"But the truth is… For whatever reason I desire you to be happy. So please understand that you are not alone in… Whatever pain this brings you." They arrive at Grobber's house. Police are all over the place. "Grace Wight was found dead here this afternoon."
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The Fungus 8/5/2023 8:22 PM
"What."
8:22 PM
"No? Grace like. Huh?"
8:22 PM
Grobber runs forward into the crowd of police.
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((End session))
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((No session this week sorry))
2:17 PM
((The week after THAT though… That’ll be peak))
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((Ok at this point I don't think you'll have a session this week either sorry.))
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((Yeah no session this week either sorry. I’m trying my best but I need someone who has been much slower than I imagined. I’ll try to let you do a makeup session or something if you want as soon as I can))
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It's Fungover.
1:30 PM
That's okay that's probably 1 week earlier Garb will start
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Inside the crowd of police is a man Grobber would not recognize, being interviewed. This man is Hav Kerloe.
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Grobber runs up to the interview. "What. What is going on. Y-you gotta tell me. This is my place. You have to tell me."
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / hav-kerloe
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Hav Kerloe wakes up in his bed the next morning.
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Hav Kerloe 7/8/2023 2:25 PM
I wake up. Looks like it's another morning in Avengard, New York, the city I live in. I take a look outside the window at the city of Avengard. It seems to be another normal morning, where thousands of other people are also waking up in the same city. It's Tuesday, which means I have work (at Kerloe Fishery, the fish store I own and work at every day). It's morning, thus I should feed the fish. I get up and head to the fish tank in my bedroom to feed the fish. I then step out of my bedroom to the fish room (which is also known as the kitchen, however I call it the fish room due to the fish present within it) to feed the fish there.
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There are no fish.
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Hav Kerloe 7/8/2023 2:29 PM
Things seem the same as always. I take the fish food and pour it into the fish tank.
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The fish tank is on the floor.
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Hav Kerloe 7/8/2023 2:33 PM
Looks like I've successfully fed the fish. I head to the restroom to brush my teeth, then take my keys and head out, locking the door behind me.
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This happens.
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Hav Kerloe 7/8/2023 2:38 PM
I head down the stairs. Stairs that you walk down. Instead of the elevator, which would be a bad idea. Elevators are pointless, and stairs are good. Everyone knows this.
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Hav arrives at the lobby. It's empty.
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Hav Kerloe 7/8/2023 2:49 PM
I head to work.
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Eryn is outside of the building. "Hav?"
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Hav Kerloe 7/8/2023 2:58 PM
((Which building))
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((The apartment complex, sorry))
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Hav Kerloe 7/8/2023 3:03 PM
"Yes?"
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"You're still here?"
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Hav Kerloe 7/8/2023 3:06 PM
'Still here'? What's that supposed to mea?. Is she asking why I'm still alive? That wouldn't be surprising, would it? I have no reason to not be alive. My continued life is completely natural. Is she asking why I'm still in Avengard? Why would that matter? It doesn't matter where I am, at all. Is she asking why I'm still at this apartment? But...why would she know or care about this? She's just another customer at the fish store. She doesn't have the ability to know any more than that. This appears a strange anomaly, the fabric of reality being twisted by this person's rebellion. I'll have to clarify further. "What do you mean?"
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"Shouldn’t gr- Ethfan have hidden you somewhere by now?"
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Hav Kerloe 7/8/2023 3:14 PM
"You know where he is?"
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"He's staying with Carolyn, last I checked."
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Hav Kerloe 7/8/2023 3:25 PM
"Thank you!" I immediately walk away, with the intention of going to the place I met Carolyn before.
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"If you see her, tell her I said hi!"
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Hav Kerloe 7/8/2023 3:34 PM
I nod with my back turned to her.
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Hav arrives at Carolyn's office.
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Hav Kerloe 7/8/2023 3:36 PM
I enter. (edited)
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Matrick is inside. "Oh, Hav! You're here. Good... Good."
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Hav Kerloe 7/8/2023 3:37 PM
"Yes... Have you seen my brother?"
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"Not since we talked last night. …But I did have an idea how to help him against Carolyn."
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Hav Kerloe 7/8/2023 3:41 PM
"How so?"
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"Well... Carolyn has other patients. Most of them... Or, all of them except 1... Are dead. But we just have to go find this 'Grace Rollins' girl before Carolyn kills her, and we'll be 4 people against 1. She... She definitely can't hold up against that many people. But that's just a theory, of course."
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((Saturday))
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((Saturday but can you also do a makeup session on like Thursday))
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"Well... Carolyn has other patients. Most of them... Or, all of them except 1... Are dead. But we just have to go find this 'Grace Rollins' girl before Carolyn kills her, and we'll be 4 people against 1. She... She definitely can't hold up against that many people. But that's just a theory, of course."
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"Sounds like an effective strategy to me. I'll help however I can."
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"Great! Uh, yeah… Great. Can you help me search this office? I’m trying to find her address."
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I nod and begin to search the office.
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((Roll))
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((4))
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Hav doesn’t find anything useful. Matrick looks at the potted plants as he searches. "Huh… She watered these. That’s… Impressive. I can’t really imagine what it’s like to care for a lesser life like that."
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"Hmm? What do you mean by 'lesser'?"
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"Well, they don’t have brains like us right? As much as they can try, humans are just inherently greater than the rest through our sharp and theoretical minds."
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"Plants have no awareness of themselves, or ability to take actions. They aren't even alive in the first place."
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"Well, that’s not true. Plants are aware, that’s how they know how to grow. And… Haven’t you ever seen those plants that eat bugs and can bite down on them?"
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"Yes, because that's what they're preprogrammed to do. They aren't like fish, which can do anything. But they can also do nothing." I pause. I can't let myself get distracted by anything. I have to find the answer. "So, did you find anything?" (edited)
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"Oh, right." He gets back to searching. "…Do you think murder is ever justifiable?"
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"I can't say that I feel that it matters whether it's 'justifiable' or not. Danger should be avoided."
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"…Right, yeah." He pauses. "It’s just… Looking around this room. It’s so clean, organized, and lively… Me and Carolyn both work to help people… To nurture life. But if you compare this to me, I’m somewhat unstable. Confused, you know? So if she’s so blessed, why would she go and commit murder like that? Does she know something we don’t?"
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"It seems unlikely. Nothing one could possibly 'know' can ever override the facts of reality."
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"The facts of reality?"
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"Yes."
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"What are those?"
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"I can't tell you that. Let's stay focused on the goal, for now."
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"Well, like… I know the earth is round. We orbit the Sun, one of trillions of stars. I know a lot of facts about reality."
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I let him continue, if he wants.
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"But what’s funny is… Those facts changed. Did you know in the past, people thought we lived on a flat disc… And everything orbited the earth. And back then, those were the facts of reality. So knowing something did change those 'facts'."
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((Are you going to reply or))
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I let him continue, if he wants.
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"…Right." He stops. "Oh, here. I think I’ve got it."
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I attempt to see what he's talking about.
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It’s a paper containing some personal details on clients. "I should mention that we’re doing is illegal. Super illegal, very illegal. But… It’s for a good cause."
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"Of course." I smile.
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"Grace… Grace… Grace… Wight? Like the FNN guy?" Coincidentally, FNN is the news publication from which Hav gets his Carlfield strips.
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"Hmm?" I indicate a need for elaboration.
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"That’s what it says. Her real name is Wight. But this is great! We can just go to her father and get him to help us!"
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"Oh, I see. That's good."
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"Yeah!"
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"So uh... We should get going, right?"
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"Sure."
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He walks out.
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I follow.
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Matrick calls a taxi.
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I love taxis.
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The taxi takes them to FNN headquarters.
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I take note of the taxi driver.
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It is not the man from last time.
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I exit the taxi.
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Matrick walks into the building.
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I follow.
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Matrick walks up to the receptionist. "Excuse me, we need to speak to Fredrick Wight on urgent business." "Do you have an appointment?" Receptionist.
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No comment.
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"No." Matrick. "Then get out." Receptionist. Matrick looks to Hav expectantly.
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"?"
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"Oh, do you- Do you not have any ideas?" Matrick.
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"I can't say that I do."
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"Oh." Matrick.
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This man walks into the room from further into the building.
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I take note of this.
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"Mr Wight!" Matrick suddenly runs towards him. "Ah, shit." Mr Wight groans and turns to them.
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I watch what is happening.
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"Hav, this is him. Fredrick Wight." Matrick. "How many weirdos am I going to have to deal with this week?" Fredrick.
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"Good afternoon." I don't actually know what time it is, but I make an educated guess.
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"Blow these guys off, I'm going for lunch." Fredrick starts to leave. "Please, your daughter needs help!" Matrick. Fredrick groans and turns around slowly. "...Again? Ugh, come on. Fine."
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This happens.
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Fredrick walks out of the building and Matrick follows.
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As do I.
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They head to a restaurant.
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As do I, Hav Kerloe. I wonder if this restaraunt serves fish. Fish are good. We should definitely eat fish.
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Fredrick orders a sandwich. Matrick orders a salad.
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As they are ordering, I check to see if there is fish on the menu.
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There is fish on the menu.
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I order fish. It's unfortunate that the other two simply ignore the fish. But, it's fine, because all food is good at keeping us alive. This just demonstrates their unawareness.
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"You really like fish, huh?" Matrick.
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I nod.
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"Can you 2 get to the point? What is it now?" Fredrick.
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"Your daughter is in danger!" Matrick. "Which one? The one in the coma or the one who can’t stand still?" Fredrick. "The… The one who’s called Grace." Matrick.
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I watch.
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"Figures." Fredrick sighs. "She can’t stop getting into trouble can she? Is it the fungus again?" "Didn’t they catch that guy?" Matrick. "From what I hear, it’s a whole army of the hobos." Fredrick.
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"The fungus?"
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"What? Do you not watch my show?" Fredrick.
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"I don't own a television."
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((Sorry I somehow only got a notification for this now))
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((Saturday))
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((Saturday))
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"In this day and age?" Fredrick. "Oh, you see… He’s mentally ill." Matrick explains casually.
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No comment on this.
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"Anyway, you don’t need TV. Just check the newspaper or our website." Fredrick.
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"Do you have a newspaper I could borrow?"
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"On me? No. Those things only sell to old people and social outcasts like you. Of course, I’m all for freedom of choice and all that… But I haven’t touched a newspaper in a decade." Fredrick. "Don’t treat him so rudely. It could trigger his illness." Matrick. "It’s a free country." Fredrick shrugs.
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A strange thing to say. This "country" is far from "free". Nowhere in the world is—that's why we're able to live at all. But that's not important right now. I can't let myself get lost in such things. I simply nod along with what's been said.
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"Anyway, what were you saying about Grace?" Fredrick. "It’s… Her therapist. We think she might be a serial killer." Matrick. "Do you watch too many movies or something? I guess this guy probably doesn’t." Fredrick nods his head to Hav.
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"No, he's right." Hav.
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"Thanks, Hav." Matrick smiles and nods.
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I do the same.
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"Do you have some kind of proof? I imagine if you had anything, you’d go to the police, no?" Fredrick. "No, umm… Well, you see… It’s my theory that the police are protecting her." Matrick. "Your theory?" Fredrick says in disbelief. "Yes! You see… I saw a detective trying to arrest her for it… And then she was just let go!" Matrick.
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Nothing to say here.
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"That’s not evidence of anything." Fredrick. "I was there… I work with her… Something was definitely strange!" Matrick. "And I’m supposed to go on my show and tell the world some fucking nobody is secretly a serial killer no one’s heard of?" Fredrick.
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"I mean… Get real." Fredrick. "No, we need… We need your help to stop her." Matrick. "Stop her? What, do I look like the FBI? I’m a TV host, you come to me when you need me to tell the world something. Not to spread… Wild conspiracies around my daughter." Fredrick finishes his food and gets up. "…You’re paying."
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((Can you please do a makeup session at some point))
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((I have a really busy week so I probably won't be able to)) (edited)
12:23 AM
((Sorry 😦)) (edited)
12:25 AM
((There is like A Thing I need to do but it will be hard to predict when I will have to do it so scheduling a session has a pretty decent chance of being cancelled)) (edited)
12:25 AM
((I can probably let you know partway through the week)) (edited)
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((Ghrk!))
8:03 AM
((Can you put this in parentheses though))
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Fredrick finishes his food and gets up. "…You’re paying."
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I look solemnly to MatPat.
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"So… You’re just gonna do nothing? Don’t you care about your own daughter?" Matrick. Fredrick sighs, and says an address. "She hangs out there. With the guy charged as the fungus. You can try your luck there." He walks out.
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"Ah. That went well."
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"…It did?"
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"You have the address. Success is more likely now."
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"I... Suppose that's true. Thanks, Hav." He nods. "Do you... Do you have the money to pay for this?"
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I check if I have the money to pay for this.
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((Your choice))
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I do not. "I do not."
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"Oh, uh... So do we split the bill?"
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I check if I have the money to split the bill.
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((Again, your choice))
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I do not have any money with me. "I do not have any money with me."
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"Oh... That's. That's annoying. I guess I'll have to put it on the credit card. Just pay me back later, right?"
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"Of course." I nod understandingly.
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Matrick pays with a credit card.
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I watch this happen. I think about how useful credit cards are in removing the aspects of transactions that only serve to create unnecessary potential emotions. I decide I should get a credit card. (edited)
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"Alright, next step... That address. It's in Shelk, so let's take a bus."
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"Okay."
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Matrick gets on a bus.
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I do as well.
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The bus is full of all sorts of people. It keeps going on it’s set path.
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Awesome.
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"Isn’t it great, Hav?" Matrick speaks a little too loudly for a crowded bus. "Watching people from all sorts of places with all sorts of different lives."
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"How so? I feel as if there is little differentiating them."
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"What do you mean? Everyone's different. I mean... Just to make things simple... I'm a neurotypical and completely sane realist, while you seem to have some sort of depressive disorder. Hm... And probably autism, too. So I've lived a much better life than you, and thus those experiences make me a very different person from you for example. Maybe that guy has NPD, or that girl has BPD, you never know. I had this one client with bipolar disorder once... Such a fascinating case." Everyone can hear him as he points at people.
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Wow, this person really is stupid. I was afraid of something like this. Needing to cooperate with him disgusts me. What a ridiculous thing to think. A 'much better life'? The only people who would believe that are those who are trying to overcompensate for their feelings of worthlessness. They're on their way to accepting truth, yes—they understand that their lives are worthless. But beyond that, they somehow recognize this as a bad thing. They think they still have any control over their lives, and they use that to justify a false idea of superiority. Truly ridiculous. My brother would never approve of someone like this... I'll have to hope he doesn't express these bizarre feelings when we reach him. As for how I should respond, I feel as if I should first point out the reality of the situation. The disturbance lies in the ways he is presenting this information publicly, as if others aren't even present. To that end, he does have the right idea—the reactions of others are irrelevant, and there cannot possibly be any consequences in a scenario that is entirely fabricated. That said, I can't help but resent the actual words that come out of his mouth. If he hadn't made such an obvious mistake, I might be in trouble—but as much as it feels strange to do, I'll have to take advantage of his narrow-minded worldview to make him regret inciting an irrelevant force—yet that same force is the very thing that gives his viewpoint meaning. "You're acting very strange. I think you're bothering the other people on the bus."
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"Oh, I'm sorry." He shuts up.
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I look to see how the people are reacting.
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They've moved on. The bus also arrives at the right destination.
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((To be clear you do have a session tomorrow. Forgot to confirm that before now))
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((Yeah))
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They've moved on. The bus also arrives at the right destination.
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I wait to see what MatPat does.
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He steps off the bus.
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As do I!!!
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He walks until he arrives at the correct house. "Hello! We’d like to talk to you!"
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I wait to see who responds, if anyone.
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Silence. "Hello!?" Matrick. Silence. Matrick knocks, causing the door to creak slightly open.
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I see if anything is visible.
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Not yet. "It’s unlocked? That’s weird. Who doesn’t lock their front balcony?"
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"...Should we go in?"
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"Isn’t that illegal? Or…" He seems to calculate something in his mind. "The crime is breaking and entering, right? So as long as we don’t break anything we don’t commit any crimes. That’s just a theory, though."
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"Indeed, that is correct. If it's only one or the other, there shouldn't be an issue."
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He nods, and opens the door. It’s a fairly messy living room, with someone’s legs barely sticking out into view. "Oh, it looks like they passed out. This does seem like the home of an alcoholic, or maybe an addict…" He nods to himself and steps inside.
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Disgusting. I can't believe people like this exist. Truly disappointing, especially considering how easy it would be for them to improve their lives. I follow him.
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On the floor of the living room is a woman. Her clothes are fairly plain black and her skin is a very pale colour. Nothing looks particularly outrageous at first, but after stepping in far enough they notice that was once this woman's head is now nothing more than a splatter of gore. Matrick immediately vomits onto the floor in shock.
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"That's strange... What happened here?"
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"Call… Call 911." Matrick holds out his phone, looking feeble.
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"How do I do that?"
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"Push the buttons… 9… 1… and 1. Then call."
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I try doing this.
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The phone calls. "911, what is your emergency?"
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Why was I doing this again...? "What do I say?" To MatPat.
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"Theres… There’s a corpse!" Matrick. (edited)
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"There's a corpse." Me.
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"What? Where are you right now?" Phone operator. "Oh my god… Oh my god there really is a corpse… It’s just setting in now. Oh my god… She’s dead… I think- I think I’m gonna…" Matrick.
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"Where are we right now?" To Mat.
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"Oh… My god…" Matrick passes out.
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That isn't good. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do without him. He has all the information, and is the one to do all the work. I can still do it all myself, but... I suppose it should be fine. I doubt I'll be in much trouble. "I'm sorry, but I'm not sure."
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"What does the environment look like?"
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I attempt to observe the environment.
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It’s a filthy house.
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"It's a house. Not very clean."
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"Can you step outside and tell me the address?"
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I step outside and look for the address.
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Hav figures out the address easily.
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I say the address.
4:04 PM
Into the phone.
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"Alright, just stay put. Police are on their way."
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I stay put.
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"And what is your name?"
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"Hav Kerloe."
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"Thank you Mr. Kerloe." Police arrive not long afterwards.
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I note that police have arrived.
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One of the cops takes Hav aside for questioning. "Can you please explain what happened here?"
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"I don't know anything. My friend inside apparently knows the person who lives here, you should ask him."
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"You mean the unconscious man at the scene?"
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"Yes. We came here together."
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"What happened to him?"
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"I don't know. He seemed upset."
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"About what?"
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"I don't know."
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"That’s strange."
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"I agree."
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"Has he done anything like this before?"
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"Not that I know of."
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"Any history of mental illness?"
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"Not that I know of."
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"I see. Is there anything you'd like to report about this crime while it's still fresh in your memory?"
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"No."
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"Alright." The cop nods. Grobber Brentwood runs into the area.
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / grobber-and-hav
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((hi))
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A young man approaches, in a dusty, bloody orange prison jumpsuit. Perhaps the only thing more offesnive than his face is his odor. He speaks with a low whine. "What. What is going on. Y-you gotta tell me. This is my place. You have to tell me."
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I say nothing.
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"You live here?" Cop.
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"Ye-yeah, this was. I liv- well, I lived... I own the place. This is my property. What the hell hap- what happened?"
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"This man here found a body." The cop points to Hav.
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"What the hell are you- what were you doing at my house, man? Who the fuck am I to you?"
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"Don't ask me. I didn't choose to come here."
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"W-what the-" He looks at the cop. "This fucking guy!" He squints his eyes closed, gathering mental energy for a couple moments to hold off an incoming headache. "Friend, typically that kind of proclamation would be followed by an explanation of how you ended up here in that case."
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"Sir, please stay back and don’t interfere with a police investigation."
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"This is my fucking house! I live here! This property is directly tangible to my-" He winces again. "AND GRACE WAS MY FUCKING GIRLFRIEND! SHE WAS MY GIRLFRIEND!"
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"A detective will come and question you soon, sir. Please just stay back."
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"...hey, cop?"
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"What?"
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He chuckles. "You ever heard of the Fungus?"
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The cop ignores this.
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"You fool! You are the barnacle of artifice that will be scraped from this realm! Cower in fear! The fungus will come for you, and those who don't join their army will not be spared! They command you to let me through!"
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Cops drag him off the scene.
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He starts to cry. "I just wanted to know what happened in my house!!!!! I'm sorry!!! I'm not even the Fungus that was Grace!!! She did it all!!!! I-I'm sorry!!!! I'm just so scared!!! I got beat up in jail!"
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((Channel split))
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Advehnt Guard
Avengard / hav-kerloe
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"Guys like him are why there’s so much crime." The cop sighs.
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"I agree completely."
6:14 PM
This really is the issue with society. People not understanding extremely simple things. People caring about arbitrary, meaningless things such as pain. It's ridiculous.
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"Have a good day, sir. A detective should be in contact soon if they have any more questions."
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I nod.
6:26 PM
I head back inside.
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"Uh, no sir. That’s a crime scene. You can leave now."
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"Oh." I leave.
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((To where?))
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I check the position of the sun in the sky.
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It’s close to setting.
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I head home.
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Hav arrives home.
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I go to my fridge and look for the shrimp.
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Hav locates the shrimp.
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I take out a pan and pour some grapeseed oil in it, then fry the shrimp. Normally. I add some salt. I take some tomato sauce from the fridge and pour it over the shrimp. It isn't a very effective meal. I don't think I would serve this to anyone. I eat the shrimp with a fork. Then I wash the plates and silverware. I go to sleep.
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((Hav finishes the chapter))
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / grobber-brentwood
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Grobber is dragged out. Fritz pats him on the shoulder. "It seems that didn’t go well."
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"They won't let me in my house!!!" Tears stream from his eyes.
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"Would you like to rest in my house for now?"
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"I... I could..." His shoulders slump. "Yeah, okay. I... could..."
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Fritz leads him into his house.
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Grobber follows, stopping before the door.
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He opens the door, and steps inside. The layout is similar to Grobber's house but it’s almost completely devoid of decoration, as if no one actually lives here.
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"I... I don't know... it's not right..."
5:25 PM
"This is your home... I'm..." He tries to wipe his feet on the welcome mat, to get dirt off.
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"It doesn’t matter." He enters. "I hold a preference for areas which are clean, especially when all things are properly placed. However, I am not some kind of god. My preferences hold very little meaning."
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"...I don't wanna... I don't want to take too much..."
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"Then it’s a good thing I have nothing to give." He steps into the kitchen. "Hmm… Aside from a cup of tea, perhaps? The kind I keep have calming properties, apparently."
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He cringes and hunches as he steps inside.
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"You’re opinionated, yes? Then… Hm. Which would you prefer? Peaches or peppermint? The latter is labelled as Ex-mass, for whatever reason… However it is peppermint flavoured, as confusing as this may seem."
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"...Xmas... Christmas, Fritz. It's what all the fucking... normies do in the winter. It's not for us. But I'll take it right now, heh. Steal it back from 'em."
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He pours water into 2 cups and places a tea bag into each. "I see. Is it even possible to steal a tradition, though? It’s my understanding that traditions are intended for as many as possible."
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"Well, it's not- It's not the traditions, man, like-" Grobber takes the cup of water. "We can put decorations up, sing carols, eat turkey, drink this tea, even give each others gifts... but the thing itself- Christmas. It doesn't belong to us, right? We'd just be jacking ourselves off for no reason. And it's set up that way, they win either way. Either we keep jacking off, and they laugh at how we act as performative fucking window dressing in their bullshit scenery, or we stop jacking off, and they get a sorry piece of shit to feel better than."
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"I’m afraid I don’t follow where the masturbation comes in."
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"That's all it would be, man! All this world is set up to get us to just fucking jack off for no reason. Even the whole government-" With his other hand, he mimes jacking off. "Awhhh man, I fucking love voting. Wow, it's crazy how much my vote matters. American democracy is, like, so fucking rad, man. I sure do love having my voice heard! YeaaahHHh!!!! I LOVE VOTING!!!! OUGHHHH! I'M MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!!!" His gestures escalate. "OH MAN!!! VOTING IS SO AWESOMEE!!! EVERY VOTE COUNTS! GO OUT AND VOTE! IF YOU DON'T MAKE AN ABSOLUTELY FUCKING USELESS GESTURE THAT CHANGES NOTHING EVERY YEAR, YOU CAN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT!" He begins to mime masturbating even more furiously. "OH MAN! I SURE AM GLAD THAT ELECTIONS ARE DECIDED BY THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE INSTEAD OF WHO SPENDS THE MOST MONEY! OHHHHH!!!!! I'M DECIDING OUR FUTURE LEADERS!!!!! I'M MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!!! I'M.... GONNNA.... VOOOOOOOOTE!!!!!!" He mimes an explosion all over the floor.
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Fritz raises an eyebrow. "…"
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"People writing books about themselves, for people to watch with envy. Oh man! I wish that was me! Except now, of course, we gotta post it to a platform that decides that shit algorithmically, because what is convenient's gotta be the fuckin best, you know? Aw man, gotta make your voice heard! Gotta post about politics! Yeah!!!! I'm such a good person!!! I'm so smart!!!! Gotta post about Apollo Justice!!! Oh yeah!!! Apollo Justice is so good!!! It called me such a smart boy!!!! Oh yeah!!! Gotta get my coffee! Can't live without my coffee, yknow? Hah! Such a goofy guy! FUCK! FUUUCK!!! FUCK!!!" He punches the wall.
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"Are you certain your anger is directed at this… Public masturbation?"
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"...I wish it could just be that easy, is all. I wish I could follow all the rules, smile first and be happy later."
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"Do you really? I was under the impression you felt the opposite."
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"I- I-" He sits down.
7:02 PM
"I don't know what I want. I want to be happy, but I can't. As long as I'm forced to be unhappy, I might as well show others. But I need to be around others. That's what happiness, like, is, you know?"
7:02 PM
"And now Grace is dead. And now my house has been fucking. Filled with pigs."
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"Do you want to know the truth, Grobber? The real truth?"
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Grobber scrunches his face up like he just ate something sour. He eventually breathes in, and nods. "Yea. Yea I do."
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"Happiness isn’t real."
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"What?"
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"It doesn’t exist. No one is ever happy about anything. It’s a convenient truth. A masturbation, as you put it. Everyone understands it’s meaningless and fake, they simply can’t bring themselves to admit it."
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"...Then why.. why does anyone do any of this shit?"
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"Because we’re supposed to. I’ve told you from the start, Grobber. We… Are merely cogs in an endless machine. Nothing we do has any meaning whatsoever. Even if you were to kill yourself it would simply be for the purposes of what your experiences have made you do. For many, this is quite demoralizing. It’s the common narcissism of the human race to believe that our actions are meaningful. That we have any sort of free will. People believe this because it allows them to pretend they can accomplish anything… Even some vague illusory emotion that will make it all worthwhile. But this is not how it works. I have long since accepted this. I am content with whatever life chooses to place me in. But not many can find this peace. Their narcissism, and the experience that had built up to it… It all pushes them to attempt to swim against an unstoppable current. For some… This may be comforting. And it would certainly be impossible to blame anyone for being themselves. But this is the choice we make. Contentness… Or forever fighting a battle we will never win. In the end… It still means nothing, either way."
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"...But if you take out what people want to do, what's left? If what I want is worthless, why do anything else?"
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"Why not?"
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"Because shit... feels bad to me, I get hurt. I don't want to hurt anymore..."
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"Simply… Allow for things to happen. Stop caring."
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He clenches his fists. "...Yeah. Okay."
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The doorbell rings. "Your tea should be ready. I’ll go answer." Fritz gets up.
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Grobber looks into the tea. He tries to make out his reflection on the surface.
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((Roll))
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2.
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Grobber can’t make out his reflection.
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Grobber drinks the tea.
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Fritz walks back to Grobber. "Ah, it appears my guest is here to speak to you." Detective Jessica James steps into the room and glares at Grobber. "You." ((End session))
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((Saturday))
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"You."
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 2:10 PM
Grobber turns to Jessica James. He makes a split decision, and his entire face curves into a smile. "Oh! Hello officer!"
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"What do you think you’re doing here?" She approaches him threateningly. "Is there a problem?" Fritz.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 2:13 PM
"Oh! I think I can answer this!" He lifts up his cup. "I'm drinking tea."
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"You’re a criminal." James.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 2:18 PM
"I'm an alleged criminal, and I still have rights! And so does my friend, Fritz! You think you can barge in on his house just to talk to me? You're turning me into a very bad house guest, toots."
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"I’m not here for you. I’m here for this man’s neighbour." James. "That would indeed be him." Fritz motions to Grobber.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 2:24 PM
"Am I under arrest?"
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"You should already be in jail."
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 2:32 PM
"Oh! Okay. I see the problem. So there's this thing called bail, and when you pay bail, you can get out of jail in advance of a trial. So someone paid my bail, and now I'm out. I'm out of the jail. Does that make sense to you?"
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"You don’t deserve freedom." James. "It is the law." Fritz.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 2:48 PM
"Oh, are we talking moral judgements? Okay, I've got one: I think you're the best. You're my favorite, James. I really do appreciate your endless quest to clean up the streets. It isn't just an intellectual curiosity, either. I've spent some time in the pen now, so I can say for sure: the people that get jailed and go to prison easily get everything they want. It's a playground. Nobody cares. People can get things from the outside freely, they do drugs, get in fights, they even have sex pretty much constantly. It's a real haven for that kind of thing to fester. And not only that, but it gets people on the outside riled up too! You know, I'm obviously not the Fungus, but as someone who's paid attention to the thing, when I see all of these criminals in jail partaking in their darkest desires freely, when I see people on the outside suffer and lie in anguish about what goes on inside, well... there's a rock solid elegance to it. And don't even get me started on executions and other murders!- or, uses of deadly force, I mean. I think the world of you, Ms. James."
2:50 PM
"And that's why I will never kill you."
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"You son of a bitch…!" James. "I would issue the correction that his mother was quite pleasant." Fritz.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 3:07 PM
"I'm sorry, Ms. James, can I ask you to clarify exactly what you're doing here?" Grobber clasps his hands and grins. (edited)
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"I’m here to interrogate you, apparently." James.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 3:17 PM
"If I'm not under arrest, I don't have to talk. And I only talk with people who are nice."
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"Then maybe I should arrest you for her murder." James.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 3:20 PM
"Oooh! That'd be pretty scary indeed! But I have an alibi- you might be surprised to hear this, but I was actually in prison until, what. Thirty minutes ago? And since then, I've been in the near-constant company of Fritz, here."
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"You spoiled little asshole. Are you so used to having everything handed to you that you think I’ll just let a criminal like you run free? Haven’t you ever heard of obstruction on justice?"
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 3:22 PM
"I'm not gonna lie to you, I'm not gonna destroy any evidence, I've never unduly done any of that! I have my rights! I can plead the fifth anytime I want..."
3:22 PM
"But I could talk to you, I just need you to be nice. I have a fragile constitution, after all."
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"Why should I care about your 'constitution' when people like you do nothing but disrespect the one I follow." James.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 3:33 PM
"Sorry, but mine's the one that gets upheld in court. We could try it out ourselves, do a little dance in front of the Supreme Court. I'd love to see what the chosen clerics of the justice you love so much decide to do with you then."
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"What are you implying?" James. (edited)
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 3:42 PM
"Sorry, let me dumb this down so your piggy brain can understand. I mean 'tough titties.' I'm gonna give you one of two options: you either put up with my bullshit, verbally fellate me here and now for my information, and you can go on chasing your scoop, or you can fuck off, and explain to your boss why you couldn't retrieve any testimony from me when I would go on to freely provide it to the station later. I'm obviously not responsible for this shooting, and I have my rights not to say anything. If you want to force my hand, that would make you a vigilante, so you might as well tape me to a chair and torture me or something."
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"Is that what this is?" She steps forward. "Just because I’m a woman? You can’t stand to ever see a woman have power over you, so you whine and cry like a baby because you just need me to coddle your pathetic little feelings. Well, guess what? I take it back. Your wasn’t nearly enough of a bitch to you, it seems. And thankfully, I’m not your mother."
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 3:54 PM
"Oh YEAHHHH!!!" Grobber begins to exaggeratedly convulse. "YEAH MOMMY! KEEP TALKING LIKE THAT!! YEAH!!!! GIVE ME MORE!!!!"
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"Grobber… Please calm down." Fritz looks disturbed. "Pathetic." James looks down on Grobber with utmost disgust.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 3:56 PM
Grobber starts to laugh at his own joke, which he perceives as incredibly funny. He then stands up and brushes himself off, then fixes his focus to Jessica James. "Are we done here?"
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"Have some self-respect. Of course, I should expect nothing more of lowlifes like you. You don’t know how to live for anything but yourself, much less die for it." James.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 3:59 PM
"Dude you're so BORING! You say the same shit over and over and over! It's like. Oh my god. Oh. My. God. Erm, can you get some original content please? Can you post better, sweety?"
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"Do not-" She punches Grobber in the face. "-call me 'sweety'."
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 4:01 PM
Grobber falls backwards. "Oh, I like that, hun! You're a crazy bitch!" He smiles from the ground.
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"Agh!" James tries to hit him again, but Fritz pulls her back. "This fight serves no purpose." Fritz.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 4:09 PM
"Awhh, sorry doll." Grobber stands up. "Guess you don't have too much on me now."
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"I’m going to make sure you rot in prison and never see the light of day again." She storms out.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 4:11 PM
Grobber follows her. "Wow, you're such a great cop! ON OPPOSITE DAY!!!" (edited)
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Fritz sighs. "That’s a pathetic insult." James.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 4:12 PM
"I HOPE YOUR PETS DIE WHEN YOU LOVE THEM THE MOST!"
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"I’m not so selfish as to own a pet." She scoffs in disgust.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 4:13 PM
"Pooo pooo!!!!! Poopoo!!! You're poopoo!!!!"
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"What are you trying to accomplish?" She turns around, disgusted. "Just display your own flagrant (ableist slur)?"
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 4:15 PM
"Oh no, are you upset? You on your period, sweety pie?" Grobber does a comically exaggerated frownie face.
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"I’m tired of your nonsense. It’s perfectly simple. What will it take to make you stop?"
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 4:23 PM
"You're begging me for something, and yet you have the gall to ask me to come up with leverage you can use? Wow, all cops like you are the same."
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"I’m not begging you for anything. I’m leaving."
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 4:28 PM
"Awhhh!!! Sorry Ms. James!" He mimes crying until she leaves.
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She gets in her car.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 4:31 PM
Grobber walks in front of it and continues to mime crying.
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She restrains the desire to run him over and tries to turn away from him.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 4:35 PM
Grobber chuckles. "WHY ARE YOU HERE TO MEET A 13 YEAR OLD BOY? WHY ARE YOU HERE TO MEET A 13 YEAR OLD BOY?"
4:37 PM
"EVERYBODY! SHE'S HERE TO MEET A 13 YEAR OLD BOY! FOR SEX!"
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She drives off.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 4:50 PM
"Hah." Grobber puts his hands on his hips. "Okay. Great." He turns back around and looks at his and Fritz' house. Has anything changed?
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There's still a bunch of cops around Grobber's house.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 4:51 PM
"Haaaaagh..." He kneads his eyes and walks towards them. "Hello? Hello? Hello?"
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They ignore him.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 4:54 PM
"Hello? I'm related to this incident? Does anybody want my statement?"
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They ignore him.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 4:56 PM
Grobber sulks and walks back to Fritz's house.
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"Did that go well?" Fritz.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 4:59 PM
"Well enough. I'm glad you didn't get shot."
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"What was that about? Was that some kind of modern flirting?" Fritz sips his tea.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 5:00 PM
"She's the cop who arrested me for, erm, being the Fungus. I think she was here to interview me about what happened next door? In, uh." He swallows. "We're not friends, so, em... yeah."
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"I see." He nods.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 5:19 PM
"I'm glad I saw her. I'm glad she knows I'm still out here."
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"You do?"
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 5:31 PM
"Yeah. I don't know. She's like one of the most substantive relationships I even have anymore. It's good to keep those up to date."
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"Oh. So it was flirting?"
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 5:32 PM
"It was like. Hate-flirting."
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"I see. Modern relationships sure are strange."
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 5:38 PM
"People have an ingrained respect of suffering and hate. It's just that nowadays, people have started to see behind the veil."
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"I see. I supposed I'm out of touch in that sense." He takes another sip. "When I was young, a girl tried to propose a relationship to me. I did not quite understand why, and so I refused. That was the closest I ever came to this sort of thing."
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 5:41 PM
"Wow, that's the most sigma shit I've ever heard of. You must've been on the grindset."
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"What does that mean?"
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 5:42 PM
"You're like a lone wolf archetype, y'know? You're focused on getting shit, accomplishing your goals, instead of other people."
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"I have no real desire to 'get' shit, as it were. The rest may perhaps be true."
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 5:44 PM
"Fair enough."
5:44 PM
Grobber stretches. "This has been, like, the most fucked up week ever."
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"Would you like to get some sleep for tonight?"
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 5:46 PM
"Yeah.... yeah, that sounds. Good."
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He points to a door. "There is a bed in there." (edited)
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 5:47 PM
"Erm. Thanks, Fritz, I- uh."
5:47 PM
"I wouldn't be able to go anywhere else. I think I'd just cease to exist."
5:48 PM
"Thanks."
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"I agree." He smiles.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 5:49 PM
Grobber scratches his head, then goes into the other room.
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It's a very plain looking bedroom. There is only a bed and no other furniture.
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The Fungus 9/2/2023 5:50 PM
Grobber sits on the bed, leans back and stares at the ceiling.
5:52 PM
"..."
5:53 PM
"...Grace?"
5:53 PM
"...Mom?"
5:54 PM
He tries to sleep.
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Grobber falls asleep. ((End chapter))
Guild icon
Advehnt Guard
Avengard / sean-niebel
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Sean wakes up a few hours later. He has several missed calls from Jeremy Baxter, and 1 from Carl.
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 3:09 PM
At this hour? I call Carl back. (edited)
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He doesn’t pick up.
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 3:10 PM
How long has it been since Carl's call?
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An hour.
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 3:12 PM
I check my e-mail. Anything from him?
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Nothing.
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 3:23 PM
Hm. Perhaps it was accidental, then? I check the news while considering my further course of action.
3:24 PM
((15 for the roll because obviously theres going to be a roll))
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Sarah Stanley was arrested for the murder of popular YouTuber Jackson Day. Bob Smith was arrested for the bombing of Kerloe Fishery. These are the only big events in Avengard yesterday.
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 3:31 PM
Nothing unexpected. Good. I take the bag back, and drive to Ouroboros's mansion.
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There’s a knife stabbed into Sean’s door, with a note attached. It just says 'See ya later! :)'
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 3:40 PM
Hm. I suppose I'll have to sleep in the car for a while longer, then. I remove the knife from the door. Is the hole from the knife noticeable?
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 3:52 PM
I'll have to replace the door later, then. That woman's efforts are pointless, only wasting both mine and her own time. I'll just hope she doesn't drag anyone unnecessary into it. I drive to the mansion, as planned.
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The mansion looks normal.
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 3:54 PM
Anything from Carl?
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Not yet.
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 3:54 PM
I call him again.
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He picks up this time. "Uh… Hey boss."
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 3:56 PM
"Noticed your call earlier."
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"Right, uh, yeah… I kind of uh… I’ve kind of got a problem."
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 3:58 PM
"Mhm."
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"There’s this guy- err- girl, umm… Something. He kept lying on those documents. But he quit last week… Alexi Braun. Have you ever heard that name?"
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 4:01 PM
"No."
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"He worked at LeIBlInc. And umm… Well, I need to find him."
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 4:04 PM
"Mhm."
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"Can you help? To do that?"
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 4:08 PM
"I'll tell you if I find something."
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"Right, uh… I have an idea where to start. If you could do that."
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 4:19 PM
"Hm?"
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"His apartment. I know where he lives."
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 4:21 PM
"Why ask me, then?"
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"I don’t, uh-" He pauses. "Because you’re the boss. And I… need your help. From one respectably cool person man to another."
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 4:25 PM
"I'm busy these days. Could try, but don't know when. Faster to do it yourself."
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"Busy doing… What?"
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 4:28 PM
"Many things. A deal with Ouroboros Stanley, for instance."
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"Oh, right, uh… Speaking of Stanley. Yeah… You remember that hacker last week? Who was looking into you… and Yale?"
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 4:33 PM
"Mhm."
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"We found her… One Sarah Stanley. She’s, uh… She’s also a friend of Alexi's. So like… Connections there. Yeah."
4:36 PM
Carl's voice lacks a lot of his usual energy today. He almost sounds dead.
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 4:40 PM
"Is that all?"
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"…Yeah."
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 4:43 PM
"Mhm."
4:43 PM
"The address?" (edited)
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He gives the address to an apartment building.
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 4:46 PM
"No guarantees." I hang up.
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Ouroboros's wife steps out of the mansion. "You’re back?"
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 4:53 PM
"Mhm. Sent me to pick up something."
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"Of course. Can’t even pick up after himself." She rolls her eyes.
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 4:55 PM
"His room?"
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"…I’ll take you there."
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 5:00 PM
I follow her to Ouroboros's room. I consider asking about her relation to Sarah Stanley, but decide not to. One of Ouroboros's relatives, and further details are irrelevant, since she is already arrested.
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She takes him, as promised.
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 5:03 PM
Is the gun visibly there?
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It is not.
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 5:09 PM
"His gun?"
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She opens a drawer, and takes it out. "At least he's getting rid of it."
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 5:19 PM
I take the gun, put it into my bag and leave. Should be no reason to return here again.
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"Goodbye. If you see Ouroboros again, tell him to stop with this nonsense."
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 5:25 PM
I return to the car. I do not plan to help Carl solve his work issues. More importantly, the news. I check if that newspaper did anything about the incorrect article.
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They’ve published a new article about how they’re being SILENCED by Sean Niebel for saying facts.
5:28 PM
They have not corrected the original article.
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 5:30 PM
I read the new article. What exactly does it say?
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It claims Sean threatened the news station over the phone in order to fabricate a new article.
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 5:37 PM
Does it specify any details regarding what article I "threatened" them about? (edited)
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It does, but the descriptions are manipulative and make it seem like Sean was trying to escape blame for something.
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Sean Niebel 7/15/2023 5:46 PM
Still better than nothing, I suppose. I won't leave it at that, however. Does this newspaper have any notable competitors? I assume one of them would be interested in proving their opponent's unreliability.
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FNN is a big publication nearby.
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((Saturday))
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FNN is a big publication nearby.
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((I forgot you couldn’t see this channel whoops))
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((Saturday))
8:38 AM
((A makeup session would be preferable too but i might be too busy))
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Sean Niebel 7/27/2023 10:14 PM
((on weekdays I would generally be available for a makeup from 2:45-7:30 AM and 2-4 PM ET. Sundays depend on TAP obviously but that usually goes no later than 7 PM)) (edited)
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FNN is a big publication nearby.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:03 PM
I search online for their contact number, as I did with the other newspaper. Also, an email address.
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They have a business email and a phone number publicly listed.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:05 PM
Even if the original article doesn't end up being retracted, there's at least a possibility of it being superceded in the public consciousness if it becomes a small part of a larger story, like an ongoing conflict over censorship. I download an image of myself from online that doesn't look like another person, draft an email containing it, and call the line.
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Sean is greeted by a complicated automated system that takes forever to go through.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:06 PM
I can wait.
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Eventually, a human picks up. "Hello?"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:11 PM
"Your competitor, [newspaper]. They've published a demonstrably false story and refuse to correct it. I'm concerned about journalistic integrity in your industry."
2:12 PM
"Redirect me to somebody I can speak to about this."
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"Excuse me, who is this?"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:13 PM
"Sean Niebel."
2:14 PM
"Former CEO of Leading Image Blender, Inc."
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"And what do you want?"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:18 PM
"I'd like to be directed to somebody I can speak to about [newspaper]'s journalistic failings. You two are competitors, no?"
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"Well, yes. But we don’t produce hit pieces or anything like that."
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:21 PM
"Do you refuse to report on things if they would inconvenience the people who you're trying to place yourself above? That doesn't seem like a sustainable policy."
2:22 PM
"I'm not looking for a hit piece, is what I'm saying."
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"What are you looking for, then?"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:24 PM
"Somebody who works at your company and isn't trying to disqualify me based on no information, preferably."
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"We’re very busy people, sir. Are you sure this is important enough?"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:25 PM
"Yes."
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"Alright, I’ll transfer you to one of our journalists."
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:27 PM
"Alright."
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Sean is put on hold.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:31 PM
I switch the phone to speaker and place it on the dash.
2:32 PM
As long as I'm waiting, now is a good opportunity to test out that gun. I doubt it'll prove useful to a journalistic problem, given the vague ways in which powers seem to be themed after the object they're connected to, but anything is useful in the right context, I suppose.
2:33 PM
I pull it out and check for a safety.
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The safety is on.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:33 PM
I undo it.
2:33 PM
Does anything happen?
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Nothing.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:36 PM
...hm. A lower number of things to test on a gun than I was expecting. It probably wouldn't be wise to fire it in my car, in public, in broad daylight, at least. Although I'm sure that would be connected to the ability.
2:38 PM
Thinking again, I re-engage the safety and press the muzzle against the car seat to my side, pulling the trigger lightly. Not like this is my car anyways, if it somehow goes off. (edited)
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The safety prevents it from firing.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:40 PM
Is this the type of gun to have a chamber, or a magazine?
2:42 PM
I check it for bullets either way.
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((I have literally no idea what that means))
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:42 PM
((a chamber is the part of a revolver where you put the bullets and a magazine is the part of a pistol where you put the bullets))
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((I guess chamber?))
2:43 PM
There are 6 bullets in it.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:44 PM
I suppose it makes sense. These aren't objects that the power creates, so finding anything unusual about it on the outside would be difficult.
2:45 PM
That basically exhausts the possibilities, then. I have no idea when I'll have an opportunity to test a gun, but considering the number of people seemingly pursuing me, I don't have much doubt it'll happen sooner or later.
2:45 PM
I check the phone to see if they've hung up on me.
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They have not. The journalist finally picks up. "Hello?"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:49 PM
"Hello. This is Sean Niebel, former CEO of Leading Image Blender. I'd like to inform you of a series of malpractice instances occurring locally that you could report on." I keep it as vague as possible at first so they don't accuse me of being out for a hit piece again. (edited)
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"Do you have any evidence of these malpractice instances?"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:52 PM
"Yes. I can send you the original article, and an image showing the disconnect from reality. Would the business email reach you, or would you prefer to use a personal one?"
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"The business email is alright."
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:53 PM
I add a link to the article to the drafted email and hit send.
2:53 PM
"You should have recieved it."
2:55 PM
"I think it's important the public not be misled like this, or news will cease to be trusted. Your news included. And at that point, without any viewpoint into the world around them, where would we be as a society?"
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"Understood. I’ll take a look."
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 2:59 PM
It hasn't been too long since I left the Stanley house, I believe, but it's still not safe for me to stay in one location for any extended time, especially with the new deranged woman in my life. While the journalist is looking for the email, I quickly switch to any car I see parked on the side of the street using my keys and begin driving to the address Carl provided. (edited)
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Sean arrives at a large apartment building.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 3:02 PM
Either that was an incredibly quick drive, or this journalist is taking an incredibly long time to find a simple email. I put the phone up to my ear again. "Have you recieved it?"
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The journalist hung up.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 3:06 PM
I call back and go through the automated process one more time.
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The first guy picks up. "Hello?"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 3:08 PM
"I lost reception in the middle of our conversation. Could you send me to the same line again?"
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Sean is transferred back. "Yes, hello?"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 3:12 PM
"Why did you hang up? Tell me. You're not taking this seriously."
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"I was looking into the article. I don’t need you to talk me through it."
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 3:16 PM
...
3:19 PM
"It's normal etiquette to mention it before you cut off a call at random. I was given no assurance that you were doing anything at all. It's unprofessional at best, and indicative of a deeper lack of care at worst. Please let me know when you've gone through with this, and I'll be happy to provide information as a first-hand source, at least. Good luck."
3:19 PM
I hang up.
3:19 PM
((or should I have said... 'good statistics'?))
3:20 PM
I head up to the door of the apartment complex.
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There’s a lobby inside. At the back is an elevator and a door to a staircase.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 3:25 PM
Are there call buttons to the various apartments?
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To the various floors, and to the penthouse. However the penthouse requires some kind of code.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 3:33 PM
It's possible Ouroboros would have set up his... daughter, or whatever her relation is, in a penthouse. But the consequences of breaking into the apartment of someone currently pending for murder, with likely security cameras covering the hallways, would potentially be steep. I could say that I was given a spare key by her family if I was caught, but they wouldn't back me up... she certainly wouldn't back me up if I said it was her, although she's less likely to be trusted. This is all rendered meaningless if she's not in there and I'm seen breaking into the apartment of somebody completely random, anyways.
3:33 PM
I press the penthouse call button.
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Nothing happens because the code hasn’t been entered.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 3:35 PM
I press my keys against the pad. It likely won't work, going by their failure to unlock a phone, but this is more... physical, in a sense, so worth a try. (edited)
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The elevator starts rising.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 3:39 PM
((am I inside the elevator...?))
3:40 PM
((wait, did you think I meant like. elevator buttons. I was talking about the actual buttons outside of apartment complexes that you press to call into the apartment and ask to be let in))
3:40 PM
((this is fine too though))
3:41 PM
I wait as it rises.
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((Oh. There aren’t those))
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 3:52 PM
What do I actually know about Sarah, come to think of it? Just that she was looking into my company, and that she's a murderer? I guess I unconsciously connected these because of her name, expecting there to be some sort of relationship between the two... three things, but I don't have any real reason to think that. An unhinged person placed in a position of resources by proxy. Of course she takes the various opportunities scattered in front of her. It's random dots on a scatter plot. What could I even theoretically find in her suite, in the best case scenario? A sheet of paper giving me the contact details of the head of some mysterious organization, to go take down and... what? I've often gone without any concrete plan. For years of my life, even. But this is the first time it feels like there are so many important things happening around me, and I just can't grasp at any of the threads. I'm here following a lead based in nothing at all, from a man I know does almost nothing but invent things about the world around him, while my personally designated magic cat is out there enacting change upon the world with its merry band. Why can I not... be there? Not to say that I want to be subservient to that... thing, but at least I would be part of a group that would go down in history, even if not as an individual. Would that be worth anything? I don't... no. That's not what I want. I'm Sean Niebel, not the unnamed disruptor.
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Sean arrives at the penthouse. Shuichi Maoziwam is there. "What… Are you doing here?"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 4:10 PM
"Looking for you."
4:11 PM
"How is your daughter doing?"
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"Is that supposed to be funny?" His expression is strange and unreadable. "It was my understanding you weren’t so forward."
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 4:16 PM
"It wasn't forwardness. Just curiosity. I'm very invested in the inner workings of your life, you see."
4:16 PM
I walk past him and begin to look around the apartment for anything notably out of place.
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"Did Carl give you the code as well? What a useless man." Shuichi. ((Roll))
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 4:18 PM
((15))
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The dining room has 4 seats regularly maintained, despite Shuichi’s family being dead outside of his daughter.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 4:21 PM
"We both know this isn't your apartment, Shuichi. Anything you want to share?"
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"Not my apartment? Have you gone mad?"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 4:23 PM
"No, I doubt it. But this place belongs to a friend of mine. Somebody named N." I check his face for a reaction.
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None.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 4:26 PM
"Maybe you ought to ask Carl about them. If you're handing out codes to access your personal living space, you must be pretty close by now. I'm sure he would tell you."
4:26 PM
What other rooms are there?
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There are 3 bedrooms, a locked room, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a living room.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 4:32 PM
Is Shuichi in line of sight to the locked room?
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 4:37 PM
I'll have to come back later. This isn't Alexi's apartment - evidently Carl misled me, or was lied to - but this is still somewhere somebody was able to redirect me to, and they most likely don't expect me to be able to check into something like this.
4:38 PM
"Well, I got what I came for. Nice to see you, I suppose." I head for the elevator.
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"I expected cleverness. Not whatever this is."
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 4:54 PM
"Mhm."
4:54 PM
I don't particularly care if he finds me clever.
4:55 PM
Once I'm in the elevator, I push the ground button, pull out my phone, and call Carl.
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"Oh, uh, hey… Boss?" Carl picks up.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 4:57 PM
"Hello, Carl."
4:57 PM
"Why did Shuichi give you his apartment address and code?"
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"To get stuff. Why did you got to the boss's apartment?"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 4:59 PM
"You sent me here, after Alexi."
4:59 PM
"Do you remember?"
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"Oh, uh… Did I give you the wrong apartment number?" Carl says the number of an apartment on a different floor.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 5:02 PM
"Do you know why they would live in the same building?"
5:02 PM
I press the floor number.
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"Uh, no- Not really. I didn’t really think of that. Are they dating in secret? He’s got… He’s got those vibes y’know?"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 5:11 PM
"No. I doubt he's dating anyone."
5:11 PM
"Goodbye."
5:11 PM
I hang up.
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Sean arrives at the correct floor.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 5:12 PM
I go to the apartment Carl listed and press my ear to the door.
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Silence.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 5:20 PM
I open it with the keys a sliver and peer in.
5:21 PM
If I see nothing, I enter and close the door behind me.
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It seems like there was a fight inside. There’s no one around, but things are broken and toppled over.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 5:25 PM
Any blood?
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There’s no blood.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 5:26 PM
More likely a ransack than a fight. They were looking for something, or trying to leave a message.
5:27 PM
I search through the furniture for any paperwork.
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((Roll))
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 5:31 PM
((just to double check, this campaign doesn't have like. levels or anything right. everything is just a d20?))
5:31 PM
((13))
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((Correct. I adjust the DC based off the character so there’s no bonuses or anything I just adjust personally))
5:32 PM
Sean finds some letters with Alexi's previous address. They’re fairly recent too. There’s no other paperwork.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 5:42 PM
Who are they from? Just bills? Any notable names?
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Just bills. There aren’t any signs this person used mail for anything else.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 5:54 PM
Well, it doesn't seem like there's much else here. I don't want to be seen walking out of a destroyed apartment, though. I look out of the peephole to check if anybody is in the hallway, and if not, I quickly exit and head out of the building via the elevator.
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This succeeds.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 5:59 PM
I get back in the car I arrived in, and drive to Alexi's previous address.
5:59 PM
How remote is it?
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It’s just another apartment, not even particularly far. The building is much less fancy though. ((Roll btw))
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 6:03 PM
((7))
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((You can just keep going))
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 6:05 PM
I walk up to the door and knock.
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((To the door of the building or the specific apartment?))
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 6:07 PM
((apartment))
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There’s a noise inside. "Who’s there!?" It’s a voice he’s heard at the office, but not one he’s ever needed to remember.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 6:09 PM
"An associate of Shuichi Maoziwam."
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"Oh god, is he after me too?"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 6:12 PM
"No. I'm not here on his orders. Can I confirm if this is Alexi Braun?"
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"No, this is Carl Tucker." It’s not.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 6:17 PM
"Oh, okay. Never mind, then. Could you direct me to Alexi Braus or a, uh... 'Sarah Stanley'?" He says this as if reading it off of a note.
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"Her? What does she have to do with this?"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 6:21 PM
"I'm not sure. I just want to speak to either of them about Shuichi."
6:23 PM
If this goes nowhere, I'm reporting back to Carl and finding a different avenue. I don't plan on visiting inmates in prison to determine the financial stability of my old company. (edited)
6:23 PM
This was too far for a personal favor already.
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"Are you alone?"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 6:23 PM
"Yes."
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They open the door, and point a gun at Sean. "Wait… Sean Niebel?"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 6:35 PM
Ah. I suppose it would have been better to claim I was with somebody when talking to a person known to keep murderous associates.
6:36 PM
I raise my hands above my head, keeping my lack of expression. "Hi, Carl."
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"There’s no way you’re that stupid, right?"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 7:00 PM
I sigh. "Anything I can help you with, Alexi?"
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"No, I really hate you. Was the Shuichi thing real, or is this about Jeff Johnner?" It should be noted that he is missing an eye. Whether or not this is a new development, Sean wouldn’t know.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 7:03 PM
((wtf. kite real))
7:05 PM
"I don't know who that is. I'm here because I was concerned Sarah was stealing company information for some reason related to you. Shuichi is the one who would be affected by this."
7:05 PM
"Not to say that I'm on his side, of course."
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"He’s here because of me." Carl's shaky voice rings out as he steps into the hallway and approaches them. "Oh, fuck off. Carl? Seriously? If this is about the embezzlement, that was all Harriet. I don’t have time for this." Alexi.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 7:10 PM
Embezzlement, hm. Probably the source of Shuichi's previous monetary issues. Although, from what I recall, the person involved in that was beaten to death soon after. Could be the same.
7:10 PM
"How is Harriet doing, then?"
7:10 PM
"And hi, Carl. Glad you're following up on your lead."
7:11 PM
It's strange to see initiative from him on something other than drinking.
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"Harriet- She didn’t… Stop lying." Carl is trembling as he pulls out a gun. "Oh god, what now…?" Alexi.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 7:24 PM
"We're in a populated area, Carl. Getting into a gunfight isn't going to get you anywhere." "You'll be put in jail, if that wasn't clear."
7:26 PM
I consider bolting for the door, but I doubt I would make it.
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"I need your help, boss." Carl.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 7:27 PM
"You're the one with the gun, Carl. Do you understand that? You're the one in control of the situation. I'm not going to be able to help you like this."
7:28 PM
"Do you think it would be reasonable for Alexi to ask you for help right now?"
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"I’m…" Carl looks uncomfortable, but his words are stronger than usual. "…Not an idiot." "Well, that’s up for debate." Alexi.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 7:48 PM
"Good to hear. What do you want my help with?" (edited)
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"The boss… The uh, new one… He’s going to throw me away if I don’t do this… But I can’t… I can’t… Do it myself." Carl. "Yeah, I’m not exactly surprised. What, was Harriet too busy getting kidnapped to save you this time?" Alexi. "Shut up! I’m… I don’t- I… I’m outsmarting the boss. This is a big step!" Carl. "If you want the deed back, it’s not happening. That place never belonged to that piece of shit." Alexi.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 7:55 PM
I'm clearly out of the loop here.
7:55 PM
"So, what do you want me to do? Kill Alexi, here? Is that it?"
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"What?" Alexi. Carl takes a deep breath. "…Yes."
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 7:57 PM
"Then why are you pointing the gun at him... and not me?"
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"Because… I- You’re the one who has to shoot him." Carl. Alexi shuts the apartment door.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:03 PM
"We should get going, Carl."
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"No, we have to get him!" He keeps aiming the gun at Sean. "I don’t… If he lives, I have nothing!"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:05 PM
((when did he point the gun towards me))
8:06 PM
((just now?))
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((Oh I got confused. He’s pointing it at you now yeah))
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:08 PM
"Don't you want to outsmart the boss? Don't you want to take that big step? Then why are you submitting to him? I think you turned something backwards." (edited)
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"You’re the boss, boss!"
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:11 PM
"What? I'm not your boss. I'm out of the company, Carl. You report to Shuichi."
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"But you’re… You’re the one who believes in me, boss. The new boss he just… He doesn’t have anything on you!" Carl.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:19 PM
"Why doesn't he believe in you? Why can't you make him?"
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"I am! I am making him! But you, boss, you’re…" Carl.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:22 PM
"If you think there's something special about me, then you certainly shouldn't shoot me. No? That seems like the baseline, to me."
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"Just… Just do it, boss! Let me have this!" Carl.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:22 PM
"If you want to have it, then you can have it."
8:23 PM
I turn around and begin walking back towards the elevator. A waste of so much time.
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Carl is blocking the way.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:26 PM
I try to awkwardly slide past him. (edited)
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He tries to stop you. ((Roll))
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:29 PM
((12))
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Sean manages to pass him easily.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:31 PM
I get into the elevator and push the down button. "Don't shoot anybody." (edited)
8:31 PM
"Please."
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The elevator opens to reveal EL, who’s twirling a knife. "Wooooow, so crazy running into you here."
8:35 PM
The side of her face is bandaged.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:39 PM
I quickly fumble to pull out my (magical) gun and shoot at her.
8:39 PM
Has to do something, right?
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The gun is somehow gone. Just completely vanished inexplicably.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:39 PM
Well, I guess it doesn't.
8:40 PM
"Carl! I take back what I said. You can shoot somebody."
8:40 PM
I jog back to his side.
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"I can’t- I can’t commit murder!" He tosses the gun at Sean.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:41 PM
I try to catch it.
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EL also tries to catch it. ((Roll))
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:41 PM
((9))
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Both miss and the gun falls over uselessly. EL instead tries to stab Sean.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:43 PM
I jump back. "Alexi! Open up!"
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EL misses. "Absolutely not!" Alexi.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:46 PM
I crouch down and lean to pick up the gun.
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((Roll))
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:48 PM
((15))
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Sean grabs the gun as he’s stabbed in the side by EL. The elevator opens once again to unveil a guy Sean doesn’t recognizes. "Late to the party, huh? Didn’t expect anyone else to show up in this spot." "What is… Going on? Boss?" Carl.
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:51 PM
I try to shoot EL at my side before addressing the newcomer.
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((Roll))
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:51 PM
((4))
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Sean misses. The shot hits the ceiling, and immediately after another unfamiliar man falls down from it next to them. "Ow… Ow. I’m here, like I promised." He has the voice of Jeremy Baxter. "How did-!? Whatever, let’s get to the point. EL, stop hurting Sean. You know that’s not allowed." The other guy. "Yeah! Let the boss go!" Carl. "Breaking the rules is the point! Because I’m so evil!" EL.
8:54 PM
((End session))
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:55 PM
((he fell down from... the ceiling?))
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((Yes))
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:56 PM
((was he clinging onto it like spider man or did the floor above us cave in or am I unclear))
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((This is purposely absurd in universe you have no idea where he could possibly have come from))
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Sean Niebel 7/29/2023 8:56 PM
((unclear. got it))
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((Saturday))
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"Breaking the rules is the point! Because I’m so evil!" EL.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 2:35 PM
What?
2:37 PM
"I... demand you attack me, then." I scramble away, trying to keep the gun pointed alternately at her and Baxter. (edited)
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Jeremy drops something from his hands and raises them in the air. "We’re on the same team here, Sean!" The other man pistol whips him, and he falls over unconscious. "Well, that’s dealt with at least." "Ahahaha… I see through your ruse, Niebel!" EL.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 3:04 PM
"No ruse. I'm just a masochist. You wouldn't understand."
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"You are?" Carl.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 3:06 PM
I ignore him and look to see what Baxter had dropped.
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Baxter is currently laying on top of it. "Sean, do you know who I am?" The unfamiliar man.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 3:08 PM
I cradle the wound in my side as I back up some more. "No."
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"Jeff Johnner. I’m a local mobster, but the really important kind. It was my understanding you were the least proactive protagonist ever, but apparently you’ve made your way this far out of bounds. Why are you here?" Johnner. "Why does it matter? Let’s just kill him!?" EL. "No." Johnner.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 3:18 PM
"I'm just here to meet somebody."
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"If that person is Alexi Braun, you’ll have to wait for her funeral." Johnner.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 3:20 PM
"Whose?"
3:23 PM
"Never mind. Alexi isn't important to me, but they clearly are to you. So, you should have something else to deal with, here."
3:23 PM
I motion to Carl to move behind me.
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Carl does so. "Don’t play games, Niebel. You’ve got nothing left… And you’ve refused to do anything to fix that." Johnner.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 3:25 PM
"I think I've been working on it. But there have been distractions. Which I'd imagine you would know."
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"No, I wouldn’t. Last I checked, you’re just the worst at this. I’ve got no clue what he sees in you." Johnner. "Seriously, more nonsense about Gus? I thought you got over that at the funeral!" EL.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 3:30 PM
Amon? The butler? Strange. Does this all connect back to Maoziwam after all?
3:32 PM
"Would you- I have information on Gus' death, if you're interested. We could work something out."
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"I’ve already had that resolved. The culprit's probably dead by now." Johnner. "What? And you didn’t send me?" EL. "Last I heard, you tried to kill Gordon and botched that Hav job. So no, I didn’t." Johnner.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 3:37 PM
"I assure you, the culprit is alive."
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"Not after today she won’t be." Johnner.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 3:39 PM
"Then, wouldn't you need assistance from somebody more reliable than any of these fools?"
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"They’re better than they seem." Johnner.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 3:43 PM
"How so?"
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"Like this!" EL tries to stab Sean again, but Johnner holds her back. "You’re trying too hard." Johnner. "Me and the boss are way more in sync, right boss?" Carl. "…Who are you?" Johnner.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 3:47 PM
"Don't answer that." (edited)
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"How do- I’m a famous guy! An important one, right boss?" Carl. "Hm." Johnner looks closer. "Nope."
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 3:51 PM
"Yes, you are. So if he doesn't recognize you, it's an indication of his failure. You shouldn't feel the need to explain yourself to people like that."
3:51 PM
"What are we doing here, Jeff?"
3:52 PM
"Why hasn't your henchwoman killed me yet?"
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"I’m waiting for you to leave. I’ve got more important business past you." Johnner. "You’re such a wet blanket…" EL.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 3:53 PM
I grab Carl's arm and attempt to exit.
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EL uses this chance to stab Sean again.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 3:54 PM
((can I try to dodge or am I stabbed))
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((Sure you can roll to dodge))
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 3:56 PM
((5))
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Sean is stabbed.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 3:59 PM
"Find better people, Johnner!"
3:59 PM
I hobble out.
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"Let evil be evil!" EL. "…You really need a hobby." Johnner sighs and watches as Sean and Carl enter the elevator.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 4:03 PM
We ride the elevator down.
4:04 PM
"..."
4:04 PM
"By the way, I'm not a masochist, Carl."
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"Oh, okay. Not that… Not that I’d blame you if you were. I mean that’s like- It’d probably look really cool on you. I wasn’t judging or anything. You’re obviously… You’re cool."
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 4:09 PM
"Good to hear."
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"Yeah…" He moves away from Sean like he’s frightened. "I don’t… Why didn’t you kill him, boss?"
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 4:11 PM
"Which one?"
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"The uh… Alexi."
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 4:14 PM
"Why would I kill someone just for lying on a document?"
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"It’s uh… That’s not why Mr Maoziwam made me do that."
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 4:16 PM
"I don't automatically share your reasons for killing somebody."
4:16 PM
"Why did he want that?"
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"I uh… I kind of gave the code to someone… And they stole some stuff from the boss. The new one. Not from you. But also kind of from you, I guess. …Yeah."
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 4:19 PM
"Why?"
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"Uh… Nothing. No reason. Just one of uh… Those whims."
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 4:21 PM
"You should try having a reason for things, in life. It's important."
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"Yeah, I’ll uh… I’ll keep that in mind, boss. Yeah. Got it. Yeah."
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 4:27 PM
"Yeah."
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"…But umm-"
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 4:28 PM
"..."
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"Why did- What was Yale's reason? For… For falling?"
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 4:35 PM
"He didn't have one. And that's why it was a bad thing. Do you understand something as simple as that? That dying with no reason is a bad thing? Do you have any plans to do better with YOUR life?"
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"Uh… Yeah. Right. Boss." He doesn’t look at him. The elevator arrives at the lobby.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 4:38 PM
I exit. "I need to get to a hospital. Again."
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"What do- What do I do?"
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 4:39 PM
"How did you get here?"
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"Subway. The uh… The one underground. Not the restaurant. Maybe they have restaurants underground too though."
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 4:40 PM
"Probably."
4:41 PM
"Show me to it."
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"Uh, alright." Carl walks to the subway station.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 4:46 PM
I follow, and check the subway map for a hospital marker. (edited)
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The hospital is not marked on the subway map.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 4:48 PM
Ugh.
4:49 PM
I was dreading entering one of those cars anyways. Squalid and covered in filth, every time.
4:50 PM
"We have to..."
4:50 PM
I take out my phone and just look up the nearest hospital. Much simpler.
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Sean can easily find the way to the hospital with this.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 4:57 PM
I head over with Carl.
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Carl enters the subway car. It’s very full right now.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 4:59 PM
"What? What are you doing? We're walking."
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"Huh? But you said you wanted to come here…" Carl.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 5:03 PM
"I only wanted to check the map. Sometimes these things are useful, although they seem to have gone down in quality recently."
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"…There’s a map?"
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 5:04 PM
"Yes." I point at it.
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"…Huh." Carl.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 5:05 PM
"Can we go?"
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"What if I said no?"
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 5:07 PM
"Then I would say that you're delaying my speedy recovery, and directly endangering my health."
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"That’s all?"
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 5:07 PM
"Yes."
5:08 PM
"I'd rather not pass out on the way there with nobody around to call for help."
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"You wouldn’t… Hurt me?"
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 5:10 PM
"What?"
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"Just uh… Asking."
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 5:11 PM
"Okay. We're going."
5:11 PM
I turn around and start walking.
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Carl follows.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 5:12 PM
Hopefully we arrive at the hospital eventually.
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Sean arrives at the hospital.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 5:14 PM
"Wait for me here."
5:15 PM
I whisper 'bathroom' to the receptionist and head down a hallway, eventually ducking into any available empty room once I'm out of Carl's line of sight.
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This happens.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 5:18 PM
I use the paintbrush to heal my wounds (and damaged clothing), wait a few seconds, and head back out to Carl. (edited)
5:18 PM
"Everything's set."
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Carl is currently being held at gunpoint by Jeff Johnner. "There you are, Sean. Was wondering where you’d vanished off to."
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 5:22 PM
"It's a hospital. Where would I be besides one of the rooms?"
5:22 PM
I look over to see if the receptionist is still there.
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They’re there, but scared. "See, EL complicated things as usual. This time, they’re a little too complicated though. I need you to come with me. I can’t kill you, but I’ve got no issue splattering what’s-his-name's brains all over this nice hospital floor." Johnner. "…" Carl is silent.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 5:34 PM
"You know, just a minute ago, you claimed you had no idea what distractions could exist from my personal issues. Do you think this is helping?"
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"I actually don’t think that was just a minute ago." He smirks.
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Sean Niebel 8/5/2023 5:38 PM
"Figurative."
5:39 PM
"Fine. Let's go."
5:39 PM
I walk towards them.
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"Thanks." Johnner pistolwhips Sean, knocking him out. ((End chapter))